Press Releases

“Security Issues in the Caribbean: We Want to Help”

Bridgetown, Barbados, Tuesday, April 15, 2008 – by - Ambassador Thomas Shannon, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, and Admiral James Stavridis, U.S. Navy, Commander, U.S. Southern Command

We recently completed a trip to three CARICOM nations –Guyana, Barbados, and Suriname.  It was our first opportunity to travel together, and by combining our visits, we were able to interact directly with the Heads of Government of each nation, as well as the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs.  We were also able to underline the extraordinary level of interagency cooperation between our two Departments in the Americas.
 In addition to reinforcing the continuing importance of the region to the United States, our joint visit was a direct follow-up to the June, 2007, Conference on the Caribbean, hosted by President Bush and Secretary Rice in Washington, D.C., and President Bush’s recent high-level dialogue with the Prime Ministers of the Bahamas, Barbados, and Belize.  In each nation visited, we received a warm welcome both in formal conversations with our interlocutors and informally from the friendly people of three vibrant and diverse democracies.

In each of our stops, we found a confluence of views about the security challenges throughout the south and eastern Caribbean.  Each of these probably applies throughout the CARICOM community and is worth mentioning as the leaders of the region gather 4-5 April for a high level discussion of broad security issues facing the Caribbean community:

- Crime and related violence.  In addition to street crime, the emergence of gangs and organized crime is of serious concern to governments intent on protecting their citizens and creating a safe environment for the economically vital tourist industry.

- Movement of illegal weapons.  The flow of small arms and ammunition continues to plague the region, many of them coming from the United States.  This fuels criminal violence and presents a unique threat to police and other law enforcement personnel.

- Deportees.  In the islands of the Caribbean, there is significant and legitimate concern about the deportation to their native countries of Caribbean citizens who commit crimes in the United States.  Specifically, our interlocutors wanted more information on the criminal records and backgrounds of those being deported, and help in reintegrating these people into the societies of their home countries. 

- Narcotics trafficking.  The presence of drug dealers, moving through difficult-to-control sea and air space, is of deep concern.  In addition to the effects of the drugs themselves on young populations, there is the potential and actual corruption of police forces and judiciary. 

- Money Laundering.  Often related to crime and drug issues, this problem has the potential to corrupt the financial systems as well as providing the “fuel” for corruption.

- Natural and ecological disasters.  Caribbean societies and economies are especially vulnerable to hurricanes and other natural disasters.  Building CARICOM capacity to anticipate and respond to such disasters is a major security concern.  Also, as global awareness of the potential damage to the environment from illegal logging, mining, pollution, reef decay, and other forms of eco-destruction rises, nations of this region are exploring security solutions.

- Pandemics and other health risks.  The impact of HIV-AIDS, malaria, diabetes, and other diseases can have a devastating impact on the small, cohesive societies of the Caribbean.  Managing or eradicating these diseases is understood as key to national security and economic vitality.

     Fortunately, the nations of the Caribbean have well-developed structures in place, beginning with CARICOM, to discuss these threats and fashion regional strategies to address them.  Additionally, the impressive Regional Security System of the eastern Caribbean is a mature entity with real operational successes and impressive capability.  In our meetings with top officials there, it is clear these regional organizations are cognizant of the concerns and moving rapidly to seek solutions.  The recent superb work by all the nations of the region and the organizations in producing a successful Cricket World Cup was noteworthy.
 We in the United States want to be helpful in any way that is sensible and effective for the nations of the region.  There are a wide variety of mechanisms available, from intelligence and information sharing, to mutually beneficial exchanges of trainers, to transfers of equipment and technology.  Our message in Guyana, Barbados, and Suriname is really a message for the entire region – the United States is a caring friend and partner, and we genuinely welcome the opportunity to discuss ways we can be helpful in addressing regional security concerns.
 Each of our embassies in the region and all of U.S. Southern Command are ready and willing to engage in any way to discuss issues and craft solutions to security challenges in the region.  We eagerly await the outcome of Caribbean leadership discussions about the security challenges, and pledge to work with individual countries and regional organizations.
 The Caribbean is not “America’s back yard,” an expression that is wrong in every dimension.  Rather than anyone’s back yard, the Americas are a home we share together; and in our home, we must all work together to help each other face the security challenges of this turbulent but ultimately promising 21st century.

For further information contact:
Anthony G. Blackman Public Affairs Specialist Tel: 246-227-4206 Fax: 246-429-5316	John C. Roberts Public Affairs Officer Tel: 246-227-4100 Fax: 246-429-5316