A regional security expert is warning that the Caribbean’s identity as a “zone of peace” is under threat.
For years, the Caribbean has promoted itself as a zone of peace, a region defined by diplomacy and cooperation. However, regional security expert Dr. Garvin Heerah believes that reputation is now being tested.
“We have an identity in the region, in the Caribbean, as a zone of peace and due to what we have been seeing over the years with the narco-trafficking, human trafficking, human smuggling, transnational organised crime, and some of the challenges many of the island states are facing, the zone of peace seems to be slipping away.”
He said maintaining that identity will require decisive and unified action among CARICOM Member States.
“We have to get serious with our regional security. We have to get serious with our actions as CARICOM nations and we have to be more unified and collective in how we make decisions with regard to our security. So I think the issue is we want to hold on to the identity of a zone of peace, but presently we are challenged, and that zone of peace seems to be dwindling unless we do something and do something fast. And I think that’s the approach that needs to be adopted.”
At the Opening Ceremony of CARICOM’s 50th Heads of Government Meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar accused CARICOM of failing to defend its own members after Venezuela threatened both Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in 2025.
Based on this, Dr. Heerah said CARICOM must adapt more quickly to changing realities.
“CARICOM needs to understand that CARICOM is evolving. CARICOM has not failed. It is evolving. And therefore, the environment has shifted incrementally and we can’t just sit here and continue to do business as usual. We have to adjust, and we have to also shift our narrative, our approaches, our strategies incrementally. And presently, I believe there needs to be a review with regard to regional security in CARICOM.”
He was speaking on Trinidad and Tobago Today on Wednesday.