On November 16, U.S. and Caribbean officials convened the Eleventh High Level Caribbean-U.S.-Security Cooperation Dialogue. Saint Lucia hosted the Dialogue, which the United States, CARICOM, the Dominican Republic co-chaired.
Under the auspices of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) and the Caribbean-United States Framework for Security Cooperation, the Caribbean-U.S. Security Cooperation Dialogue convenes annually to advance cooperation on regional security challenges, review progress under CBSI, and set CBSI priorities for the following year.
Discussions centered on U.S.-Caribbean cooperation to address firearms trafficking, counter transnational organized crime, strengthen maritime security, and prevent youth crime and violence through CBSI. The dialogue also included Caribbean regional and national-level efforts to address trafficking in persons, irregular migration, and recommendations for further progress. The United States, CARICOM, and the Dominican Republic heads of delegation unanimously adopted the dialogue joint statement, which sets out Caribbean and U.S. priorities for security cooperation through CBSI for the next year. The joint statement also welcomes the authorization, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, of a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti Barbara A. Feinstein led the United States delegation, which included representation from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; the United States Agency for International Development; the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons; Customs and Border Protection; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; and Department of Defense.
