New $88M Caribbean Security Program Targets Gangs, Corruption, and China’s Influence Through 2029

This new legislation, officially titled the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act, sets up a long-term plan for the U.S. to invest heavily in security and stability across 13 Caribbean nations, including Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. It authorizes up to $88 million annually starting in fiscal year 2025 through 2029 for the State Department and USAID to run the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). Think of it as a five-year investment plan designed to tackle the region’s biggest headaches: organized crime, weak justice systems, and natural disasters. The bill mandates a comprehensive implementation strategy within six months, complete with measurable goals and annual progress reports to Congress, ensuring this funding is tied to concrete results.

Border Patrol and Gang Busting: The Security Overhaul

The core of the CBSI is focused on making citizens safer by going after criminal networks. This isn’t just about putting more cops on the street; it’s about upgrading the whole system. Specifically, the program funds better air and sea security cooperation, giving countries the equipment and training needed to stop illegal trafficking—drugs, weapons, and cash—at ports and borders (Sec. 3). For the average person living in the region, this means less gang violence and fewer illegal weapons flowing into communities. The bill also focuses on cutting off the financial lifeblood of organized crime and stopping them from recruiting vulnerable young people, which is a smart move if the goal is long-term stability.

Fixing the Foundation: Justice and Anti-Corruption

If you want a secure region, the justice system has to work. This bill acknowledges that by putting a significant focus on strengthening the rule of law. It funds technical assistance for specialized prosecutor offices to fight corruption, money laundering, human trafficking, and financial crimes, including helping them seize illegal assets. It also requires training for police and security services on human rights and best practices, and supports reforming the judicial sector by training judges and ensuring courts work more effectively (Sec. 3). For local businesses, this means a more predictable and less corrupt environment, and for citizens, it means a justice system that is more likely to hold powerful criminals accountable.

The Geopolitical Play: Countering Authoritarian Influence

This bill isn’t just about local security; it’s also a direct response to global competition. A key provision requires the CBSI to actively counter the influence of authoritarian regimes like China, Russia, and Venezuela in the region. This is where things get interesting: the U.S. will monitor security assistance provided by these nations and may restrict U.S. involvement in investment projects funded by them if they interfere with U.S. security goals (Sec. 3). It also specifically targets the use of telecommunications equipment from “high-risk vendors” in these countries. If you work in IT or infrastructure, this means any major project involving U.S. aid will likely come with specific restrictions on the tech you can use, aiming to keep sensitive data out of the hands of foreign governments.

Beyond Crime: Preparing for the Next Storm

Recognizing that the Caribbean is ground zero for natural disasters, the bill includes a five-year plan to boost disaster response and resilience. This includes funding training exercises to ensure critical infrastructure, like ports, can bounce back fast after a hurricane (Sec. 5). For the people who rely on those ports for food and supplies, this provision is critical. Crucially, the strategy requires the U.S. to clearly communicate to citizens in beneficiary countries exactly what U.S. aid is doing and what the benefits are. This transparency measure is designed to ensure that the aid isn't just effective, but that the public knows who is helping and why.