On October 31, the United States and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held a significant interagency coordination meeting to enhance U.S.-Caribbean efforts against firearms trafficking. This initiative is conducted through the CARICOM Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU).

The meeting took place in Washington DC under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). The U.S. delegation comprised representatives from various government bodies, including the National Security Council, Office of the Vice President, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of Commerce. Caribbean representation included leaders from the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) and the CGIU.

The CGIU was established in 2022 to facilitate better information exchange between Caribbean and U.S. law enforcement agencies. It currently employs a manager, an investigator, and six intelligence analysts funded by CARICOM. Personnel from Barbados, The Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have been seconded to this unit. Over two years, $2.2 million has been contributed by the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to support this joint effort alongside CARICOM.

This meeting aligns with commitments outlined in the Dialogue Joint Statement of the Eleventh Caribbean-U.S. Security Cooperation Dialogue aimed at strengthening support for CGIU activities and fostering crime gun intelligence collaboration within the region as well as with international partners.

For more details or inquiries, contact whapress@state.gov.