The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) wishes to inform the general public that there has been no confirmation or authorization of American soldiers conducting surveys or operations within the city of St. John’s or any other part of the island.

The ABDF further clarifies that Canadian military personnel currently on island are present as part of ongoing collaborative planning and preparatory exercises in support of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026, to be hosted in Antigua and Barbuda.

This partnership forms part of the wider framework of cooperation between the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda and Canada, aimed at strengthening local readiness, coordination, and security planning in anticipation of CHOGM 2026.

The ABDF continues to work closely with its regional and international partners to ensure the safety, security, and smooth execution of this high-level international event.

The public is encouraged to rely on official communication channels of the ABDF for verified information and to refrain from spreading or acting upon unconfirmed reports.