BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Barbados President Jeffrey Bostic has been awarded the Inter-American Defence Grand Medal by the Inter-American Defence College (IADC) in recognition of his contributions to hemispheric security cooperation and defence leadership.
President of Barbados, Jeffrey Bostic, receives the Inter-American Defence Grand Medal from the Inter-American Defence College (IADC) during a ceremony held at the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Office of the President of Barbados)The award was presented during a ceremony held at the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Washington.
According to a government statement, the honour also recognised Bostic’s longstanding relationship with the college as a former student and regional partner.
In remarks at the ceremony, Bostic said the IADC had played a significant role in his professional development, helping to broaden his understanding of defence, diplomacy and the security challenges facing the Americas.
“The College remains one of the hemisphere’s most valuable platforms for cultivating strategic thought, strengthening professional military education, and building the relationships that underpin collective security,” he said.
Bostic, a former career soldier, also highlighted the role of the institution in fostering cooperation among member states and supporting the development of strategic partnerships across the region.
He said the college’s network and expertise were particularly important for small states such as Barbados, providing opportunities for capacity-building, knowledge exchange and the strengthening of national and regional resilience.
The Barbados President reaffirmed his country’s commitment to engagement within the Inter-American system and stressed the importance of cooperation in addressing regional security challenges.
The IADC leadership said the award also reflected Bostic’s distinguished service, advocacy for professional military education and continued support for the College’s mission.
