Carib Scope

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  • Qpid says ‘Backup Plan’ is about survival, not distrust

    Qpid says ‘Backup Plan’ is about survival, not distrust

    Veteran Saint Lucian musician Melissa “Qpid” Moses is turning a silent, widespread crisis for women across the Caribbean into a compelling call to action with her brand-new single, *Backup Plan*. Far from targeting romantic relationships or encouraging partner distrust, the track carries a deeply personal message of empowerment, born from decades of observing women trapped in harmful dynamics they cannot escape.

    In an exclusive interview with *St Lucia Times*, Qpid pushed back against early misinterpretations of the track’s core thesis, clarifying that the song is rooted in lived reality rather than cynicism about love. “The song isn’t about promoting distrust at all; it’s about reality,” she emphasized.

    Contrary to some assumptions, *Backup Plan* was not inspired by Qpid’s own romantic experiences. Instead, it grew out of years of witnessing women suffer in abusive, toxic, and unstable relationships solely because they lacked the resources to leave. This unspoken crisis has long been an overlooked elephant in the room across many communities, Qpid explained: women spend years trapped in damaging partnerships because they see no viable exit. Without access to higher education, independent income, or a strong support network, leaving an unhealthy relationship can feel completely out of reach. Watching so many women end up stranded and broken after relationship collapse, with no safety net to catch them, was the catalyst that pushed Qpid to put this message to music.

    The track’s narrative follows a fictional woman who is left with nothing after her long-term partner abandons her for another person. While the story is fictional, Qpid notes that it mirrors the experiences of countless women across the Caribbean region.

    Qpid stresses that building a “backup plan” does not mean going into a relationship expecting it to fail. It is an act of self-love and preparation for life’s inherent unpredictability. When a relationship becomes irreparably harmful, having a backup plan ensures women do not have to remain trapped out of helplessness. For the artist, this preparation extends far beyond just building a savings account. A comprehensive backup plan includes financial independence, emotional resilience, prioritizing physical and mental well-being, and consistent practice of deep self-love. Qpid points out that society already widely encourages people to have contingency plans for their careers and finances, so there is no logical reason to treat personal relationships any differently.

    Beyond economic independence, Qpid also uses the single to challenge the harmful stigma attached to ended relationships. Too often, society frames a marriage or relationship that does not last as a personal failure, but Qpid argues this narrative needs to change. Even when two people give everything they have to a partnership, it can still come to an end. When a partner chooses to leave, women need to be emotionally and financially stable enough to walk away with their dignity intact. There is no shame in Plan A not working out, she says—all that matters is being able to pivot gracefully to Plan B.

    Qpid’s ultimate goal for *Backup Plan* is to spark broad, open conversations about independence and what healthy relationships actually look like. For women, her message is clear: it is possible to love deeply while still investing in your own security and growth. She encourages women to start saving early, build their own support networks, and position themselves so they never have to face being left stranded with no resources.

    She adds that the song’s message is just as relevant for men. Qpic hopes the track encourages dialogue about mutual respect and individual autonomy within partnerships. The core takeaway for all audiences, regardless of gender, is that walking away from an unhealthy dynamic should always be a viable option. No one should ever have to stay trapped in a harmful relationship purely for economic or emotional survival.

  • WhatsApp introduceert gebruikersnamen voor betere privacy: wat verandert er?

    WhatsApp introduceert gebruikersnamen voor betere privacy: wat verandert er?

    One of the world’s most widely used messaging platforms, WhatsApp, which boasts close to 3 billion active users across the globe, is rolling out a transformative privacy-focused update that will redefine how users connect on the service. For years, the platform has relied on phone numbers as the primary identifier for accounts, but that long-standing system is getting a major overhaul later this year: users will soon be able to create and use unique custom usernames to connect with others, eliminating the need to share personal contact information to start a conversation.

    The new functionality is being rolled out in phases, with early access already open to a small test group of users to reserve their preferred handles ahead of a broader launch in the coming months. To secure a username, users are required to update their mobile WhatsApp application to the latest version, then set their unique handle through the app’s settings menu. Notably, the reservation process can only be completed via the native smartphone app, and is not supported on WhatsApp Web or the desktop version of the platform.

    To address ongoing concerns around unwanted contact, spam, and privacy breaches, WhatsApp has built multiple layers of protection into the new system. Unlike many other social and messaging platforms, WhatsApp will not maintain a public searchable directory of usernames, nor will it suggest accounts to users based on existing contacts or usage data. This means that a user can only be found and contacted by a new person if that person already knows their exact username.

    For an extra level of security, users will also have the option to add a unique personal key to their account. With this optional feature enabled, a new contact can only reach out if they know both the user’s username and their personal key, creating an additional barrier that drastically reduces the risk of unsolicited messages from strangers and spam senders.

    The update also includes special provisions for businesses and public figures, who will get the opportunity to reserve their official usernames ahead of the general rollout. WhatsApp will hold control over high-demand and brand-related usernames to prevent impersonation, fraud, and misleading activity on the platform.

    Alice Newton-Rex, Vice President of Product at WhatsApp, emphasized that the entire feature was built from the ground up as a core privacy tool for users. “We recognize that sharing a personal phone number is a big ask for many people,” she explained, noting that users often want to start new conversations without exposing sensitive personal contact information. For years, WhatsApp has only offered reactive tools to address unwanted contact, such as the ability to block individual accounts or mute calls from unknown numbers. This new update marks a shift to proactive privacy protection, giving users control over who can reach them before any contact is made.

    As the rollout progresses, WhatsApp will notify users directly through the app once the feature becomes available in their specific region. The company has advised all users to keep their mobile application updated to ensure they can access the new privacy settings as soon as they launch.

  • Eight Years On, Carlisle Bay Robbery Suspect Still at Large

    Eight Years On, Carlisle Bay Robbery Suspect Still at Large

    It has been eight years since a brazen heist shook the exclusive Carlisle Bay Resort in Antigua and Barbuda, and law enforcement officials are still actively searching for the man they accuse of masterminding the multimillion-dollar theft. Anthony “Thug Life” Govia, the alleged ringleader of the scheme that stole more than 98,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars from the luxury property, remains at large eight years after the 30 June 2018 incident, topping the country’s most wanted list.

    Investigators have pieced together that the plot was a joint conspiracy between Govia and Kathy-Ann Isaac, a long-tenured accounts clerk who had served the resort for 14 years. Initially, the robbery was staged to look like the work of a lone armed intruder. The story that unfolded from security camera footage told a different truth: two insiders had first withdrawn cash from the resort’s on-site safe, before a masked gunman entered the location and fled with the stolen funds. For a time, Isaac was counted among the victims of the crime, with investigators suspecting no internal involvement at first. That changed as the case deepened, and police ultimately brought conspiracy charges against her. She entered a guilty plea in 2019, and was handed a 30-month prison sentence the following year, a penalty she has already fully completed.

    Govia, by contrast, is believed to have fled Antigua within days of the robbery pulling off, and no arrest has ever been made in his case. As the eighth anniversary of the heist approaches, local police have renewed their public appeal for any tips or information that could lead to his capture. Officials have issued a clear warning to the public: anyone found knowingly aiding Govia by providing shelter or assistance will face criminal prosecution themselves.

    The unsolved Carlisle Bay Resort robbery retains its status as one of the most high-profile unresolved theft investigations in Antigua and Barbuda’s recent history, with authorities stressing that the manhunt for the alleged mastermind remains an active priority for the force.

  • Minister Welcomes Preliminary Findings on Regional Conservation Initiative

    Minister Welcomes Preliminary Findings on Regional Conservation Initiative

    A regional initiative to embed cross-party political commitment to environmental conservation across the Eastern Caribbean is moving forward in Antigua and Barbuda, after researchers from the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWI FIC) delivered the program’s preliminary findings to senior national government officials this week.

    Led by the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF), the Advancing Conservation in the Eastern Caribbean Programme was created to address growing climate and biodiversity risks across the small island developing states of the region by building sustained parliamentary support for conservation action. The initiative’s core model supports participating nations to establish inclusive, cross-party parliamentary conservation caucuses that embed environmental stewardship into formal legislative and policy processes.

    To date, three regional nations – Saint Lucia, Grenada, and Suriname – have already fully completed the program and launched their own non-partisan parliamentary conservation caucuses. Antigua and Barbuda is now on track to become the fourth participating country, following bilateral consultations between the UWI FIC research team and key local stakeholders. A national validation workshop to finalize the next steps for the country’s caucus is scheduled for July 22 at Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Environment.

    The UWI FIC delegation that presented the preliminary findings included Dr. Branson Belle, Executive Director of the institution’s Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and Blue Economy, and marine and conservation researcher Dr. Christopher Waters. The findings were shared with Hon. Michael Joseph, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, and Jaabari Reynolds, Biodiversity Focal Point at the national Department of Environment.

    To ensure broad buy-in from all segments of national life, the upcoming July validation workshop will be split into two separate sessions designed to accommodate input from a wide range of groups. The structure aligns with the program’s emphasis on a “Whole of Society” approach to conservation and sustainable development, which brings together actors across public and private sectors to tackle shared environmental challenges.

    Minister Joseph welcomed the initiative, emphasizing that collective, coordinated action is the only effective way to confront the accelerating impacts of climate change across small island states. “The effects of climate change are far-reaching and touch every aspect of our lives. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated Whole of Society approach that brings together government, civil society, the private sector, academia and our communities,” Joseph stated in remarks following the presentation.

    He added that cross-sector initiatives like the ICCF program play a critical role in strengthening national conservation commitments, while nurturing innovative solutions and building long-term climate resilience for current and future generations.

    When fully rolled out across the region, the program is expected to create a standardized framework for deeper parliamentary engagement in environmental policy-making, and strengthen cross-border collaboration to advance shared goals for biodiversity protection and climate resilience across the Eastern Caribbean.

  • Gonsalves confirms ULP gov’t was in talks to lease cruise port

    Gonsalves confirms ULP gov’t was in talks to lease cruise port

    St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves, head of the Unity Labour Party, has broken his silence on the newly signed cruise terminal concession deal with Global Ports Holdings (GPH), confirming that his administration held extensive, multi-round negotiations with the international port operator before leaving office following the November general election.

    Earlier this month, on June 10, the newly installed New Democratic Party (NDP) government formalized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with GPH that sets the stage for exclusive negotiations over a 30-year concession agreement. The deal outlines a planned EC$250 million investment to carry out phased modernization work on the Kingstown cruise terminal, with provisions that allow local Vincentian investors to acquire up to a 30% stake in the project and guarantee local representation on the venture’s board of directors.

    Speaking this week on Star Radio, the Unity Labour Party’s official broadcast platform, Gonsalves launched pointed criticism of the NDP administration, accusing the sitting government of moving forward with a 30-year commitment without disclosing critical detailed terms of the arrangement to the public. He stressed that while the NDP has publicly announced the MOU, it has released no specific information about the core financial terms that will shape the project’s long-term impact on the country.

    Gonsalves recalled that his own administration engaged in multiple rounds of talks with GPH representatives, including a face-to-face meeting with GPH Chairman Mehmet Kuhmen. Shortly before the November 2025 general election that ended the Unity Labour Party’s term, GPH submitted a draft proposal to his administration, though Gonsalves has not released the specific content of that document. He also confirmed that GPH was one of multiple firms that approached his government to pitch proposals for upgrading the country’s cruise infrastructure.

    When GPH first presented its vision for the project, Gonsalves said, he walked the initial delegation through the existing port site and shared his administration’s development blueprint: constructing a brand-new terminal on the old port land, followed by a hotel and a purpose-built performing arts centre on adjacent parcels. Gonsalves noted that GPH representatives immediately signaled they were not interested in pursuing a development of that scale.

    As part of his administration’s due diligence, Gonsalves said he consulted with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who reported that Antigua’s existing partnership with GPH in St. John’s has been satisfactory. However, Gonsalves also highlighted cautionary examples from other Caribbean nations: an agreement with GPH reached by the former Timothy Harris administration in St. Kitts and Nevis was ultimately scrapped after a review found it did not serve the country’s best interests, while a cruise port concession signed by the Freundel Stuart administration in Barbados was put on hold when the Mia Mottley-led government took power.

    Despite those past canceled deals, Gonsalves clarified that he does not oppose a partnership between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and GPH. His research, he said, confirmed that GPH is a well-established, professional operator with strong industry standing.

    After the third round of talks with GPH, Gonsalves said, his administration intentionally paused progress to request full, specific details of the proposed agreement, a step the NDP has skipped according to the opposition leader. He emphasized that while he understands GPH is a for-profit enterprise that is not operating as a philanthropic organization, the government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have a non-negotiable stake in securing a fair, transparent deal.

    Gonsalves shared tentative terms that were discussed during his administration’s talks: GPH initially proposed an investment of US$30 million, with the option to allocate additional capital later. The phased plan the firm presented called for first repairing and upgrading the existing terminal facility, then building an additional new terminal. GPH proposed managing both facilities (without claiming ownership) in exchange for a long-term concession lease, drawing revenue from management fees and a share of head tax collected from cruise lines. However, Gonsalves stressed that GPH never finalized key details during his term, including the exact length of the proposed lease, the projected financial return for the firm, and what percentage of head tax revenue GPH would retain.

    “The devil is in the details, which is why we never signed on to anything,” Gonsalves said. He called on the NDP government to release full transparency, arguing that key details – including total project costs over the 30-year term, full financing structures, and the split of head tax revenue – must be publicly vetted to avoid a scenario where the country ends up paying out more than the value of GPH’s initial investment. “What worries people is that you agree in advance that you’re going to give them 30 years without knowing any details,” he added.

  • CARICOM To Address Issues Faced By Rastafarians

    CARICOM To Address Issues Faced By Rastafarians

    The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has announced plans to convene a multi-stakeholder gathering focused on advancing equal rights for Rastafarian communities across the region, responding to decades of systemic exclusion that have impacted the group both locally and globally.

    The landmark decision emerged from the 42nd Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM’s Conference of Heads of Government, held on May 8, 2026. During closed deliberations, regional leaders confirmed that widespread disparities persist for Rastafarians in core areas of public life, from access to education and formal employment to equitable participation in community governance. Leaders reaffirmed their collective commitment to securing full legal and social recognition of Rastafarians as equal members of Caribbean society, prioritizing the protection of their fundamental human rights.

    To drive coordinated action, member states have approved the formation of a special regional committee, with delegations from five nations: Barbados, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The panel will lead ongoing conversations around policy reform to address challenges facing Rastafarian communities at both the regional and international levels.

    Leaders also highlighted a series of progressive national actions already implemented across member states to redress historical injustices against the Rastafarian community. These steps include formal public apologies for state-sponsored discrimination, targeted land grant programs for Rastafarian families, and updated labor legislation that prohibits workplace bias based on religious and cultural identity. Regional leaders framed these existing national initiatives as blueprints for building a unified, region-wide strategy that can scale successful interventions across all CARICOM member states.

    Founded in 1973 through the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, CARICOM has grown to become one of the most successful examples of regional integration in the developing world. A 2001 revision of the founding treaty established the bloc’s single market and economy, expanding cross-border cooperation to drive shared economic growth. Today, the bloc counts 15 full member states and six associate members, serving a combined population of roughly 16 million people, 60 percent of whom are under the age of 30. CARICOM’s core mission is organized around four central pillars: economic integration, coordinated foreign policy, human and social development, and cross-border security cooperation. Headquartered in Georgetown, Guyana, the CARICOM Secretariat serves as the bloc’s central administrative body, working to advance a shared vision of an inclusive, resilient, and competitive regional community where all citizens can access equal opportunity, enjoy guaranteed human rights and social justice, and contribute to shared cultural and economic prosperity.

  • Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Launches First Leadership Development Programme

    Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Launches First Leadership Development Programme

    In a landmark move aimed at strengthening healthcare governance and nurturing the next generation of medical leaders, the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre has launched its first-ever comprehensive leadership development programme. Designed to address growing gaps in managerial and strategic expertise across Antigua and Barbuda’s public healthcare system, the initiative marks a significant turning point for the island nation’s flagship medical facility.

    The programme, which was developed in consultation with regional healthcare management experts, targets mid-level and senior clinical and administrative staff at the centre. Over the course of six months, participants will engage in a structured curriculum that combines hands-on practical training, mentorship from veteran healthcare leaders, and interactive workshops focused on key competencies. Key modules include crisis resource management, patient-centered care strategy, cross-departmental team collaboration, financial stewardship for medical facilities, and adaptive leadership in evolving public health landscapes.

    Hospital administrators note that the launch comes amid a broader push to upgrade the country’s healthcare infrastructure and improve service delivery outcomes. For years, the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, which serves as the primary referral hospital for Antigua and Barbuda, has faced challenges related to transitioning leadership as long-tenured senior staff prepare for retirement. This new programme is intended to create a structured pipeline of trained leaders who can step into critical roles seamlessly, avoiding disruptions to patient care.

    “This is more than just a training course – it’s an investment in the future of healthcare for all Antiguans and Barbudans,” said the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer in a press briefing ahead of the programme’s launch. “We’ve seen firsthand how strong, empathetic leadership directly impacts patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. By equipping our talented staff with the strategic skills they need to lead, we’re building a stronger, more resilient healthcare system for generations to come.”

    Initial feedback from the first cohort of 25 participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting that the programme fills a long-unmet need for professional development focused specifically on healthcare leadership in the region. Organizers plan to expand the initiative to include junior staff in future iterations, with the goal of fostering a culture of continuous leadership growth across the entire facility. The programme’s progress and outcomes will be evaluated at the conclusion of the six-month curriculum, with findings shared with other regional healthcare facilities looking to implement similar development schemes.

  • ABWU Deputy General Secretary Chester Hughes Graduates with Law Degree in the United Kingdom

    ABWU Deputy General Secretary Chester Hughes Graduates with Law Degree in the United Kingdom

    A senior labor leader from Antigua and Barbuda has marked a major career and academic milestone, wrapping up years of rigorous combined work and study to graduate with top honors from a leading UK higher education institution. Chester Hughes, Deputy General Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU), crossed the graduation stage on Tuesday to collect his Bachelor of Laws with Upper Second-Class Honours from Arden University, based in the United Kingdom.

    Following the official ceremony, Hughes gathered with close family and friends to celebrate the achievement, which caps off years of intentional late nights, early mornings, and careful prioritization that let him complete his degree while continuing to hold one of the union’s most senior executive leadership roles. Unlike traditional full-time students, Hughes balanced the heavy workload of labor advocacy, union leadership, and personal responsibilities alongside his academic requirements, a challenge that he says shaped his entire learning journey.

    In reflecting on the years he spent working toward the degree, Hughes emphasized that the experience was as demanding as it was transformative. He described the program as both “challenging and rewarding,” noting that successfully juggling competing demands from his career, coursework, and personal life relied on consistent discipline, unwavering resilience, and relentless determination. Many modules introduced him to entirely new legal frameworks and concepts that felt overwhelming at the start, but he worked steadily through each subject, gradually expanding his legal knowledge, deepening his nuanced understanding of the field, and building confidence in his new skills. For Hughes, this entire academic journey has equipped him with irreplaceable expertise and perspective that he plans to bring back to his work advocating for workers, leaving him eager to step into the next phase of his career with clear purpose and renewed enthusiasm.

    The ABWU has formally extended its warmest congratulations to Hughes on the groundbreaking achievement. Union leadership emphasized that Hughes’ successful completion of the degree while continuing to serve working people is a powerful testament to his core commitment to both personal growth and the advancement of the global labor movement, which he advances through intentional education and values-based leadership. The organization’s entire Executive Council, administrative staff, and rank-and-file membership share the collective belief that this new academic credential will amplify Hughes’ ability to serve workers across Antigua and Barbuda with exceptional distinction, especially in core priority areas including labor legislation, industrial relationship management, collective bargaining negotiation, and advancing systemic social justice for working communities.

    Looking ahead, Hughes will continue his legal training later this year: he plans to depart Antigua and Barbuda over the coming summer to enroll in the required Bar Training Course, a critical prerequisite for practicing law that marks the next key phase of his combined legal and labor career. The ABWU has expressed full confidence in Hughes and extended well wishes for his upcoming training, noting that all his academic and professional work is rooted in a commitment to advancing justice for the working class. Beyond celebrating one leader’s achievement, the union highlighted that Hughes’ accomplishment is a source of tremendous organizational pride, and serves as a motivating example for working people across Antigua and Barbuda to prioritize lifelong learning and pursue ongoing professional excellence regardless of existing career and personal responsibilities.

  • Sen. Chester Hughes Graduates with Law Degree from Arden University

    Sen. Chester Hughes Graduates with Law Degree from Arden University

    A senior leader of Antigua and Barbuda’s largest trade union has marked a major career and academic milestone, graduating with honors from a prominent British higher education institution to better defend workers’ rights in an increasingly complex labor landscape.

    Chester Hughes, who serves as Deputy General Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) and holds a Senate seat in the country’s legislature, completed his Bachelor of Laws with Honors (LLB Hons) at Arden University in the United Kingdom, earning the distinguished classification of Upper Second-Class Honours. The ABWU made the formal announcement of Hughes’ achievement earlier this week, framing the graduation as a key step forward in his ongoing development as both a scholar and a labor leader.

    Hughes pursued the degree while balancing a demanding full-time role at the union, a feat that required rigorous time management and personal sacrifice. To accommodate his professional duties, he rearranged his schedule to fit early-morning classes and dedicated late-night hours to coursework and exam preparation. Because the program centered on the United Kingdom’s legal framework, he invested extra hours in independent research and targeted study to fully master the specialized curriculum.

    In comments shared ahead of the announcement, Hughes explained that his decision to pursue legal training was rooted in shifting dynamics in industrial relations across the region. As more companies retain legal representation to advocate for their interests in labor disputes, trade unions must evolve their own capabilities to avoid being at a disadvantage when fighting for their members’ rights, he argued.

    “This degree is intended to elevate my capacity as a trade unionist in Antigua and Barbuda, particularly as the landscape of industrial relations evolves,” Hughes explained. “With an increasing number of lawyers representing companies in labor matters, unions must adapt to these changing times to effectively advocate for their members.”

    Looking ahead, Hughes has laid out clear next steps to translate his academic achievement into practical advocacy for working people. He plans to travel to the United Kingdom next to complete required bar training, before returning to the Caribbean to finish the conversion process that will allow him to be admitted to the bar in Antigua and Barbuda, as well as across member states of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

    Beyond his own career, Hughes also hopes his achievement will inspire fellow labor organizers across the region to prioritize ongoing professional development through education. He emphasized that his ultimate goal is to use his new legal expertise to deliver stronger representation and more effective support for working people across Antigua and Barbuda.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Names 16 for 2026 ANOCES Track & Field Championships

    Antigua and Barbuda Names 16 for 2026 ANOCES Track & Field Championships

    Ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 ANOCES Track and Field Championships scheduled to take place in St. Kitts from July 4 to 5, 2026, Antigua and Barbuda has finalized a competitive 16-athlete roster that will carry the nation’s flag at the regional sporting event. This championship participation comes as part of a broader regional development initiative backed by Panam Sports, which has partnered with the Association of National Olympic Committees of the Eastern Caribbean (ANOCES) and local National Olympic Committees to elevate competitive sports across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The collaboration extends beyond track and field, with targeted support for five key disciplines: swimming, table tennis, 3×3 basketball, athletics, and beach volleyball, all aimed at strengthening grassroots and elite sporting ecosystems across the region. The Antigua and Barbuda track and field delegation features a mix of decorated veteran competitors and rising young talents who have already proven their skill at regional competitions. Headlined by national 100m and 200m champion Geolyna Dowdye, the women’s squad also includes CARIFTA silver medal javelin thrower Zonique Charles, sprinters Soniya Jones, 400m specialists Kettia Ambrose and Shenika Bentick. On the men’s side, the roster boasts CARIFTA bronze medal javelin thrower Maliek Francis, alongside sprinters Jalen Dyett and Kadeem Campbell, 400m runners Cleon Joseph and Dion Shaw, 400m hurdler Craig Prendrgast, 100m standout Amori Jules, long jumper Terrance Thomas, shot putter Christopher Johnson, and 1500m runners Shawn-ze Joseph and Devon James. In addition to individual events across sprints, middle-distance races, jumps, throws and hurdles, Antigua and Barbuda will also field teams for three relay competitions: the mixed 4×400m relay, men’s 4×100m relay, and women’s 4×100m relay, bringing additional opportunities for podium finishes. In an official statement marking the team announcement, Cliff Williams, Secretary General of the Antigua and Barbuda National Olympic Committee (ABNOC) and sitting ANOCES Board Member, expressed gratitude for the ongoing institutional support that makes this regional competition participation possible. “We are grateful to Panam Sports and ANOCES for their continued support of regional programmes that strengthen competition across the OECS, and to the Antigua and Barbuda Athletics Association for their leadership in assembling this team, and the ABNOC, who lead this charge,” Williams said. “I wish our athletes every success and encourage all Antiguans and Barbudans to rally behind them as they compete with pride on behalf of our nation.” Beyond official team delegation duties, Williams will also take on additional responsibilities during the St. Kitts event, participating in planning discussions for future ANOCES competitions and attending the organization’s upcoming congress. The 16-member athletic delegation will be led by veteran sporting officials Heather Samuel-Daley, Kesswin Anthony, and former elite sprinter Daniel Bailey, who will guide the team through preparations and competition in St. Kitts.