The first day of Exercise Stronghold, a major security preparedness exercise ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), has been deemed a success by officials after security agencies completed a controlled operation in the heart of St. John’s on Wednesday.

The exercise, led by the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF), and other security agencies, involved a temporary “soft lockdown” of a designated security area known as the Red Zone.

The security perimeter covered an area stretching from Corn Alley in the west to Parliament Street in the east, and from New Street in the south to Upper Newgate Street and Old Parham Road in the north. During the operation, vehicular movement was restricted, while pedestrian access along Upper High Street was temporarily suspended.

The exercise was designed to test coordination, communication, and response systems among security agencies, government officials, and other stakeholders involved in preparations for CHOGM.

Following the exercise, security personnel met with members of the National CHOGM Task Force and other stakeholders at the top of High Street to review the operation and discuss lessons learned.

ABDF Chief Brigadier Telbert Benjamin said the exercise was an important opportunity for all agencies involved to understand their roles and responsibilities ahead of the major international event.

Benjamin emphasized that there was no room for uncertainty at this stage of the preparations, telling stakeholders that they must be able to provide clear answers and understand how their responsibilities fit into the wider security plan.

“This is not an opportunity for guessing,” he said, while stressing the importance of communication and teamwork among all agencies.

The ABDF commander described CHOGM preparations as one of the most complex operations undertaken by the country’s security forces.

“It is beyond anything we have done before, but we have passed the stage when we can say ‘we can’t do it’; we are at the stage where we have to do it,” Benjamin stated.

Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers also stressed the importance of stakeholder participation, noting that exercises such as Stronghold must reflect the same level of coordination expected on the actual day of the event.

He urged all persons assigned responsibilities to attend scheduled exercises and familiarize themselves with procedures to avoid confusion during CHOGM.

“We have to operate today as how we would operate on Friday (Day 2) or on the actual day of the event,” Jeffers said.

Security officials also reminded stakeholders that several buildings and areas surrounding the main venue will be secured during the CHOGM proceedings and urged all invited persons to arrive at their assigned locations on time.

The final stage of Wednesday’s exercise took place at the newly established Creative Arts Centre, where security personnel provided an overview of procedures and expectations for the upcoming event.

Exercise Stronghold’s first day concluded at approximately 10:00 a.m., two hours ahead of schedule. Barriers were subsequently removed, and normal traffic and business activity resumed throughout St. John’s.

Officials say the exercise forms part of Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing preparations to ensure the country is ready to host CHOGM safely and efficiently.