Prime Minister Gaston Browne has described crime and security as one of the most serious existential threats facing the Caribbean, calling for a unified Caricom response to increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
Speaking at the Caricom summit in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Mr Browne said regional cooperation is essential in confronting transnational crime.
“When you consider transnational criminal activities, it is crucial for us to unite our efforts,” he stated.
His remarks were echoed by St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew, who highlighted the need for coordinated action—especially in Haiti, which has seen more than 4,000 deaths this year, a 24% increase, according to the UN.
The summit comes amid growing instability in Haiti, marked most recently by the burning of the historic Hotel Oloffson.
Haitian Transitional Presidential Council member Laurent Saint-Cyr appealed for greater regional support in tackling arms smuggling and drug trafficking, urging Caricom to speak “with one voice for security, peace, and sustainable development.”
Newly appointed Caricom Chair and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness called for a regional justice and security framework to address the evolving threat landscape.