The recent two-day trip by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was meant to reinvigorate relations with the 15 member-states that comprise the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United States . Relations have cooled dramatically since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and the 2004 ouster of former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide that Caribbean leaders contend was orchestrated by the US. Although no definitive agreements were reached concerning Haiti and the role that CARICOM nations would take in assisting the US and UN in stabilizing the country, member-states have agreed to reinstate Haiti into the Caribbean Community. CARICOM nations have also verbally agreed on the importance of remaining engaged in Haiti over the long-term with the intent of promoting political stability and socio-economic progress.
Rice and her CARICOM counterparts discussed such issues as CARICOM integration, including the formation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy; the link between development and democracy; security cooperation; and disaster preparedness. However, very little substantial progress was made in any one area, with the trip designed more as a good will tour than one to accomplish significant tasks. Statements of future intention were frequent with little definitive substance forthcoming from the meetings.
However, viewing the two-day conference as unproductive would be insensible. Since 9/11 , US interest in the Caribbean and Latin American has shifted dramatically toward the Middle East and South East Asia, disregarding or neglecting interests in the region to the detriment of neighborly relations. Viewing CARICOM-US relations as unconnected to the Long War or to international criminal enterprises would be a dramatic, na?ve miscalculation. Being a major hub for narcotics trafficking and offshore banking facilities, CARICOM states have a major role to play.
The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), in conjunction with the US Coast Guard, has increased surveillance operations within the Caribbean that has dramatically decreased the level of narcotics smuggling in the region. However, significant work remains. In September 2005, President Bush designated four CARICOM nations as major drug-producing or drug-transit countries: the Bahamas , the Dominican Republic , Haiti, and Jamaica . All four states are major transit routes for illicit drugs to the US. The Bahamas is working extensively with the US to target drug trafficking organizations through Operation Bahamas and Turks and Caicos (OPBAT). The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Haiti have also expressed their commitments to interdicting drug shipments and curtailing the production of drugs within their states.
The US Treasury Department is attempting to work with CARICOM states to identify money laundering schemes or other illicit activity that aid terrorist organizations. However, officials worry that pressure to strengthen and enforce antimoney laundering in the region will be detrimental to offshore financial sectors. The US State Department’s list of major money laundering countries include: Antigua and Barbuda , the Bahamas, Belize , the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the Cayman Islands , a British Caribbean dependency. To acquire the cooperation of reluctant Caribbean nations, the Treasury Department formed the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Money Laundering with the objective of combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The FATF publishes a list of uncooperative countries and territories in the fight against money laundering that is likely attributable to the increased cooperation of CARICOM states. Illicit money laundering activities, which are often connected to terrorist and/or criminal organizations, have become an increasing priority for the US government in the wake of the 9/11 attacks (see this WAR Report).
The FBI is assisting the government of Trinidad and Tobago in investigating a string of bombings that swept the country from August until October 2005 (Terrorist Incident, Terrorist Incident, Terrorist Incident, and Terrorist Incident) and in identifying possible Islamic extremist groups on the island such as Jamaat al-Muslimeen and the Islamic Front . The US government also has a vital interest in securing liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities on the island, with nearly 70% of US LNG imports originating from Trinidad and Tobago.
In the past year, the US has made several outreaches to the CARICOM community to symbolize a vested interest in the region and a commitment to warming relations. The State Department and the Bush administration have generally expressed their satisfaction with the conference and believe relations are nearly mended, thereby making it increasingly likely that US-CARICOM relations will continue to improve throughout the remainder of the Bush administration. However, to ensure this outcome, the Administration must remain engaged with CARICOM nations and provide the $500 million that has been committed to assist in Haiti’s reconstruction. Both steps by the US would demonstrate action above rhetoric to CARICOM states that the US is devoted to the strengthening of regional relations and the well-being of, especially, the Haitian populace.
