GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders have placed the fight against narcotrafficking and the illegal arms trade at the centre of their regional security strategy, calling for stronger international cooperation while urging caution over rising military activity in the Caribbean.
In a statement follong a meeting od the Heads of Government, the leaders warned that transnational crime remains one of the most serious threats to the region’s safety, stability and development. They agreed that tackling narcotics smuggling and the illegal flow of small arms and light weapons must remain a top priority, noting the growing sophistication of criminal networks that exploit the region’s maritime borders.
Except for Trinidad and Tobago, which reserved its position, member states endorsed a joint statement reaffirming their “continued commitment to fighting narcotrafficking and the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons.” The leaders stressed that these efforts must be pursued through international cooperation and within the framework of international law — a pointed reminder that Caribbean nations rely heavily on partnerships with the United States, Europe, and Latin America to address the global drug trade.
The renewed stance comes as the Caribbean experiences heightened foreign security and maritime operations aimed at intercepting drug routes. While these initiatives have helped curb trafficking, they have also raised concerns about sovereignty, transparency, and whether member states are being adequately consulted.
CARICOM leaders said security initiatives must balance enforcement with diplomacy. They reaffirmed the Caribbean’s long-standing commitment to maintaining the region as a “Zone of Peace,” emphasizing that dialogue and engagement should be at the core of resolving disputes or preventing escalation.
The call for peace comes amid wider geopolitical tensions, including territorial disputes in the region and increased military presence by larger powers. Analysts say CARICOM’s unified position reflects both a desire to protect its citizens from crime and a determination to avoid being caught in external rivalries.
In the statement, Heads of Government also “reaffirmed unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the Region and the safety and livelihoods of the people of the Region.”
They signaled CARICOM’s willingness to play an active diplomatic role where needed, stressing that preserving peace must go hand in hand with dismantling the criminal networks that threaten Caribbean societies.
By placing narcotrafficking at the forefront — and linking it to international partnership, regional stability, and lawful cooperation — CARICOM made clear that the fight against drugs is not just a law enforcement issue, but a defining challenge for the region’s future.