Antigua and Barbuda Parliament Passes Law Allowing Foreign Security Forces to Assist During CHOGM

Parliament Passes Visiting Forces Bill Ahead of CHOGM Security Deployment

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the Visiting Forces Bill, 2026, establishing the legal framework to govern foreign military and security personnel expected to assist Antigua and Barbuda with security operations during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November.

Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin told Parliament the legislation is intended to give legal authority to visiting forces that will be deployed to support local law enforcement during the high-profile international summit.

“We’re having a very big thing here in November,” Benjamin said. “This bill… is intended to give credence… to the forces which were coming to Antigua to help us to maintain law and order.”

Benjamin said the legislation provides the legal basis under which foreign personnel may operate while in Antigua and Barbuda and outlines how they will be treated under local law.

He explained that members of visiting forces will be exempt from paying income tax in Antigua and Barbuda on salaries and emoluments earned while serving in the country. The exemption, however, does not extend to Antiguans and Barbudans.

The attorney general also noted that service vehicles brought into the country by visiting forces will be exempt from local licensing taxes and fees.

In addition, equipment, supplies and other goods imported exclusively for use by the visiting forces will not attract customs duties or taxes and must be re-exported once the deployment ends.

“They will not attract any customs duties and they will be repatriated or sent back to their homes when completed,” Benjamin said.

Benjamin stressed that the bill is not intended to confer special privileges but to establish the legal framework governing the presence of foreign personnel, including how any legal proceedings involving them would be handled while they are assisting authorities in Antigua and Barbuda.

“This really is putting the system in place so that they can lawfully apply their trade, assist us… and this is all this Act is about,” he told lawmakers.

Following Benjamin’s presentation, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole to consider the legislation clause by clause.

Members approved all eight parts of the bill, including provisions dealing with jurisdiction over visiting forces, claims for personal injury and property damage, taxation, coroners’ inquests, attachments involving members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, and miscellaneous matters.

The legislation was subsequently reported back to the House and approved, completing its passage through Parliament.

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