US, CARICOM co-host Security Cooperation Dialogue

The United States Department of State says the United States, the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), and the Dominican Republic on Tuesday jointly hosted the Sixth Annual Caribbean-United States Security Cooperation Dialogue, part of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) launched by President Obama in 2009.

The State Department said the Dialogue brought together senior representatives from Caribbean states, the United States and international partners “to strengthen regional cooperation on citizen security and combat the flow of illicit narcotics and other transnational crimes that threaten regional security.

The United States has committed nearly US$437 million to CBSI since its inception.

Recognizing a strong link between security, social development, and economic growth, the State Department said this year’s Dialogue addressed ways to advance Caribbean public safety and security institutions, as well as harmonize sources for crime analysis for greater peace and stability in the Caribbean and the hemisphere.

The US delegation comprised senior representatives from the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Justice, and other members of the interagency.