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𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧𝗦𝗔𝗣𝗣 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟! 𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaN7nmQGOj9na4QhBa12

Antigua and Barbuda is set to ratify the Treaty of San José at its next meeting of parliament, signaling a pivotal step forward in regional security cooperation and maritime governance.

The announcement was made by Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Immigration and Labour Sir Steadroy Benjamin, during his keynote address at the opening of a CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) workshop dedicated to the treaty.

The Treaty of San José facilitates collaborative efforts among Caribbean states to combat illicit maritime and air trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances—an ongoing regional challenge.

Brigadier Telbert Benjamin, Chief of Defence Staff, welcomed the move, stating that years of discussions have culminated in this decisive action.

He emphasized the treaty’s importance in charting a strategic path for maritime protection and enhancing Antigua and Barbuda’s ability to safeguard its ocean territory.

Highlighting the country’s maritime potential, Mr. Callixtus Joseph, Assistant Director for Policy, Strategy and Innovation at CARICOM IMPACS, noted that while Antigua and Barbuda spans just over 440 square kilometers of land, it commands a maritime zone of more than 110,000 square kilometers.

This Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), he stressed, is a critical national asset with the potential to support a thriving Blue Economy—including fisheries, marine energy, and seabed mining.

“The Treaty of San José is more than a legal instrument—it is a tool of empowerment,” Joseph stated. “Its ratification will strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s maritime law enforcement capacity, expand its operational frameworks, and reinforce regional solidarity.”

The Attorney General confirmed the nation’s full commitment to the treaty, stating that Antigua and Barbuda will take a leadership role in its ratification and implementation.

He also announced plans to enhance national maritime legislation and expand the recently created maritime division with support from CARICOM IMPACS.

“In our four decades of sovereignty, Antigua and Barbuda has upheld the rule of law—especially when vital interests are involved,” Sir Steadroy declared.

“The Treaty of San José, a cornerstone in the fight against transnational narcotics trafficking, will have our unwavering support.”

The workshop brings together regional and international experts to share best practices and strategies, aimed at strengthening regional maritime security.