On November 30, 2021 in an overnight ceremony in the capital, Bridgetown, Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as president.

The new era for Barbados ends Britain's centuries of influence, including more than 200 years when the island was a hub for the transatlantic slave trade.

Dame Sandra Mason, 72, the island's governor-general since 2018, was named as president-elect of the nation following a vote in parliament last month. She now replaces the Queen as the head of state.

Barbados announced its plan to become a republic last year, but it will remain within the Commonwealth.

It was one of England's first slave colonies. English settlers first occupied the island in 1627 and, under British control, it became a sugar plantation economy using enslaved people brought in from Africa.

Slavery was abolished in Barbados in 1834 and the country became fully independent in 1966.

With a population of about 285,000 people, Barbados is one of the more populous and prosperous Caribbean islands.

Joining us this episode to celebrate the newly created Republic of Barbados is David Denny, General Secretary of the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, President of Cuban-Barbadian Friendship Association and General Secretary of Friends of Venezuela Solidarity Committee Barbados