Barbados elects its first-ever president

BOGOTA, Colombia

Barbados elected its first-ever president, ending 396 years of British rule.

Governor-General Dame Sandra Mason was elected Wednesday almost unanimously by parliament on the Caribbean island, which recently decided to end its political relationship with Britain and adopt a republican status.

Mason is set to be sworn in 30 Nov. 30 which will mark the country's 55th anniversary of independence from Britain. The day will be designated Republic Day onward.

It marks the end of British rule in Barbados since English colonists landed in 1625 and claimed the island.

​​Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley jointly nominated Mason.

“How can anyone deny the rightness of the moment?” said Mottley.

Buckingham Palace said the decision concerns the government and the people of Barbados.

Mason served as Governor-General since January 2018. For several years, she was a member of the Supreme Court and the first woman to serve on the Barbados Court of Appeals.

“I know only too well the journey that it has taken for women to come to any position that they did not hold before,” said Mottley, who made clear that in no way does the country plan to change its name.

"By also revoking the Order in Council, we are making the clear statement that we want to be in control of our affairs as a republic," she said.

Guyana already cut ties to the queen in 1970, Trinidad and Tobago followed in 1976 and Dominica in 1978.

Jamaica and other islands in the region are also considering whether to abandon the monarch.