Brigadier Telbert Benjamin, Chief of Defence Staff of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, is participating in the first-ever Western Hemisphere Chiefs of Defense Conference in Washington, D.C., joining senior military leaders from 34 countries across the region.

The high-level meeting, convened by Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, brought together defence chiefs to strengthen partnerships, enhance regional security cooperation and confront shared threats, including narco-terrorism and transnational criminal enterprises.

During opening remarks, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called on Western Hemisphere militaries to unite in deterring “bad actors” operating in or seeking influence in the region. He urged expanded cooperation in training, intelligence-sharing, operations, basing and overflight arrangements.

Hegseth said the United States, under President Donald J. Trump, is prioritising homeland and hemispheric security, referencing what he described as a renewed application of the Monroe Doctrine. He argued that stronger regional military collaboration is essential to combat drug trafficking, illegal migration and organized crime.

The conference also reviewed ongoing U.S.-led initiatives, including Operation Southern Spear, aimed at disrupting drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

Benjamin’s participation underscores Antigua and Barbuda’s engagement in hemispheric defence dialogue and its commitment to strengthening regional security partnerships.