Statement on the Meeting between Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean and the US Vice President Kamala Harris, Nassau, The Bahamas, 8 June 2023

CARICOM Heads of Government welcomed the meeting between Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean and the Vice President of the United States. They noted that it presented a useful platform for productive discussions and was indicative of a longstanding relationship characterized by collaboration on many issues of mutual importance, including trade and investment, security, health, energy, disaster management and climate change.

Leaders noted the progress of the work of the High-Level Committee on Food Security between the USA, CARICOM and the Dominican Republic resulting from the Summit of the Americas process. They reaffirmed that the matter of food security must continue to be given priority as part of the enhanced Caribbean-US engagement. They emphasized that, to this end, commitments already made must be implemented, and that the two sides should examine additional ways to address this challenge, which affects the Region and the global community.

Leaders welcomed the announcement of increased resources to respond to trafficking of firearms and gun crimes. However, they underscored their grave concern at the continued increase in the illegal exportation of guns from the United States of America, which contributes significantly to crime and violence in the Region, causing death and disabilities, and compromising safety and democracy.

They called on the United States to support efforts to manage porous borders and share intelligence to combat the increasing destabilization due to firearm proliferation and related crimes in the Region.

With respect to the situation in Haiti, leaders underscored that social and economic development is critical to the country’s future stability. They outlined ongoing CARICOM Good Offices Initiatives, including appointment of an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to broker discussions with Haitian stakeholders scheduled to formally start with meetings in Jamaica from 11-13 June 2023.

The Caribbean leaders stressed the importance of reform of the global financial system to mobilise short-term liquidity for crisis response and long-term funding for sustainable development, as proposed under the Bridgetown Initiative. They acknowledged the progress made to include Climate Disaster Clauses and noted that support is needed to finance Global Public Goods that address mitigating their vulnerability.

Leaders recognised that to address the challenge of energy security, there must be a balanced approach to develop the region’s hydrocarbon resources and to maximize renewable energy potential. They agreed that the Caribbean-US engagement must continue to examine areas for deepened collaboration where opportunities exist.

In the context of the bilateral relationship with the United States, CARICOM Heads of Government urged for the removal of sanctions on Venezuela to allow countries in the Region to benefit from the PetroCaribe initiative and for progress on the exploitation of cross-border natural gas fields between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. The leaders also reiterated CARICOM’s consistent call for the removal of sanctions against Cuba.

Both the Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean and the US acknowledged that the Meeting ventilated issues critical to the current and future prosperity and security of the Region and committed to ongoing dialogue and concerted action towards mutual benefit.

Source: CARICOM TODAY