The United States Embassy had an Opening Ceremony to launch a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Counternarcotics Training Course today. During the Ceremony, U.S. Ambassador D. Brent Hardt delivered remarks and the Embassy handed over equipment to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The United States Embassy had an Opening Ceremony to launch a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Counternarcotics Training Course today. During the Ceremony, U.S. Ambassador D. Brent Hardt delivered remarks and the Embassy handed over equipment to the Ministry of Home Affairs. These activities fall under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), which aims to reduce illicit trafficking of counternarcotics and illegal weapons, to advance public security and safety, and to promote social justice.
The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) addresses the increasing crime and violence, largely driven by drug and other illicit trafficking, that affects the safety of both United States and Caribbean citizens. As the Merida Initiative and Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) apply pressure against trafficking organizations in Mexico and Central America, CBSI funding will support complementary efforts to address the potential spillover effect from traffickers shifting routes to the Caribbean.
Programs under this initiative may strengthen Caribbean partner nation capabilities in the areas of maritime security, law enforcement, information sharing, border and migration control, transnational crime, and criminal justice.
Programs will build upon previously successful partnerships and develop partner nation capabilities to allow them to cooperate and coordinate in a regional context to address citizen safety concerns.
Program Goals and Objectives
CBSI supports the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) �Organized Crime Strategy.� The program also supports FY 2012 Mission Strategic and Resource Plans from our Caribbean posts and INL’s FY 2012 Bureau Strategic and Resource Plan goals of Criminal Justice Sector Capacity Building and Security Sector Reform (SSR), Counternarcotics, and Transnational Crime.
Objective 1: Substantially reduce illicit trafficking.
Objective 2: Advance public safety and security.
Objective 3: Promote Social Justice.
FY 2012 Program
Stabilization Operations and Security Sector Reform
– Funds may support law enforcement operations reform in the region to establish and sustain professional and accountable law enforcement services. Funds may be used to establish, train, and equip vetted police units that can work on a wide range of issues from drug and arms trafficking to extradition operations. Programs may support increased information sharing among governments in the Caribbean Basin; support programs for increased proficiency of corrections personnel; and support the sustainability and expansion of law enforcement end-game capabilities, as well as border and port security.
Counternarcotics
– Funds may combat the cultivation, production, and trafficking of drugs throughout the Caribbean Basin. Support may include training, equipment, and maintenance to enhance law enforcement officials’ ability to eradicate and interdict illicit drugs. Funds may also establish sustainable institutional change in support of host nation law enforcement capacity, enhance cooperation in securing borders, and provide alternatives to criminal activities through support of rehabilitation efforts.
Transnational Crime
– Funds may seek to minimize the adverse effects of criminal activities in the Caribbean Basin. Efforts may support training of law enforcement personnel, including anti-gang training, and training on money laundering, financial crimes, and asset forfeiture for the region.
Rule of Law and Human Rights
– USG assistance may seek to advance rule of law activities in the Caribbean Basin. Efforts may include improving courts administration, management, and processes; building capacity of prosecutors and improving collaboration between civilian prosecutors and judicial or police investigators; and improving forensic skills for use in the judicial system.
