U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, who leads the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), is scheduled to visit Antigua and Barbuda as well as Grenada on October 14-15. The purpose of his visit is to meet with leaders in both countries, including Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda and Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada.
This will be Admiral Holsey’s first trip to these nations since he took command of SOUTHCOM in November of last year. The visit aims to strengthen security cooperation between the United States and its Caribbean partners.
During his visit, Admiral Holsey will also hold discussions with Brigadier Telbert Benjamin, Chief of Defence Staff of Antigua and Barbuda, and Randy Connaught, Acting Commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force. The meetings are expected to focus on ongoing security collaboration and addressing shared challenges in the Eastern Caribbean, such as transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking, and border security.
According to the U.S. Southern Command, “Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada are vital contributors to the collective efforts of like-minded nations to strengthen security in the Eastern Caribbean. U.S. Southern Command remains committed to continuing its longstanding cooperation with both nations. Adm. Holsey’s visit underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to partnering with Eastern Caribbean partners like Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda to advance regional security and stability.”
The United States has a history of working with Eastern Caribbean countries to address regional security concerns, with a focus on cooperation to combat organized crime and improve border management.