BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS — A contingent of twenty-one (21) members of the Federation’s security forces has deployed to Antigua and Barbuda to support security operations for the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which takes place in St. John’s from November 1 to 4, 2026.
Antigua and Barbuda is the smallest nation ever to host CHOGM, marking a historic milestone not only for our sister state but also for the entire Eastern Caribbean.
The contingent comprises fourteen (14) members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), including three (3) Coast Guard personnel and eleven (11) infantry soldiers, as well as seven (7) officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF). The police contingent is accompanied by two police motorcycles. The security contingent departed from Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport on October 29, 2026.
CHOGM 2026 brings together leaders of the Commonwealth’s fifty-six (56) member nations under the theme, “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.” His Majesty King Charles III, Head of the Commonwealth, will address the opening ceremony.
St. Kitts and Nevis’s contingent joins regional and international partners in supporting the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda and the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force in ensuring a safe and secure environment for the successful hosting of the summit.
For the men and women of the RSCNPF and SKNDF, this deployment represents a distinct honour and an opportunity to demonstrate the Federation’s continued commitment to regional security and cooperation. The professionalism, discipline, and intelligence-led approach that have contributed to the Federation’s historic reductions in serious crime, including an 84 per cent decline in firearm-related homicides in 2025, will now be brought to bear in support of regional security efforts at one of the highest levels of international diplomacy.
This deployment also underscores the importance of collaboration among Caribbean nations in addressing shared security challenges and strengthening regional partnerships. By contributing personnel and resources to this important international gathering, St. Kitts and Nevis reaffirms its commitment to the principles of collective responsibility, mutual support, and regional solidarity.
When the Caribbean hosts the world, the Caribbean stands together, and St. Kitts and Nevis is proud to stand alongside Antigua and Barbuda during this historic occasion.
The Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis extend warm congratulations to the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda on the occasion of their 45th anniversary of Independence on November 1, 2026. We also extend best wishes for a successful and memorable CHOGM 2026, and commend Antigua and Barbuda for its leadership in bringing the Commonwealth family together in the Eastern Caribbean.
