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Updated March 1, 2019
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
In 2009, the United States developed the Caribbean Basin
directs the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Security Initiative (CBSI), a regional U.S. foreign
USAID Administrator, to provide the Committees on
assistance program, through a process of dialogue with
Appropriations a report on the uses of all funds provided for
Caribbean countries. The initiative seeks to reduce illicit
the CBSI on a country-by-country basis for each program,
trafficking in the region, advance public safety and security,
project, and activity for FY2010 through FY2018.
and promote social justice. Because of their geographic
location, many Caribbean nations are vulnerable to being
Coordinated by the State Department’s Bureau of Western
used as transit countries for illicit drugs from South
Hemisphere affairs and implemented largely by the State
America destined for the U.S. and European markets.
Department, USAID, and the Department of Defense, the
Strengthened U.S. counternarcotics cooperation with
CBSI has targeted U.S. assistance in five areas:
Mexico and Central America—through the Mérida
Initiative and the Central America Regional Security
Maritime and Aerial Security Cooperation,
Initiative (CARSI)—led U.S. policymakers to anticipate a
including assistance to strengthen Caribbean
potential increase in narcotics trafficking through the
maritime and aerial operations capability, improve
Caribbean. Many Caribbean countries have also suffered
radar coverage, and sustain those capabilities;
high rates of violent crime, including murder, often
Law Enforcement Capacity Building, including
associated with drug trafficking activities.
assistance to improve law enforcement though
police professionalization, anti-corruption training,
President Obama announced the initiative at the fifth
and community-based policing;
Summit of the Americas in April 2009. U.S. and Caribbean
representatives followed up with several meetings in the
Border/Port Security and Firearms
region in 2009 and then in 2010, held an inaugural
Interdiction, including support to improve
Caribbean-U.S. Security Cooperation Dialogue in
capacity to intercept smuggled narcotics,
Washington DC, which approved a declaration of
weapons, bulk cash, and other contraband at
principles, a framework for engagement, and a broad action
airports and seaports;
plan. Seven additional Caribbean-U.S. security dialogues
Justice Sector Reform, including support to
have been held, with the most recent in November 2017 in
increase the efficacy of prosecutors and criminal
the Dominican Republic.
courts and reform and strengthen juvenile justice
systems; and
Congress has supported funding for the CBSI. From
FY2010 through FY2019, Congress appropriated almost
Crime Prevention and At-Risk Youth, including
$617 million for the CBSI benefiting 13 Caribbean
assistance to populations vulnerable to being
countries—Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados,
victims of crime or at risk of recruitment into
Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana,
criminal organizations.
Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the
Although the State Department has not published CBSI
Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago (see Table
funding statistics by country, a February 2019 U.S.
1 and Figure 1). For FY2017, the Obama Administration
Government Accountability Office report shows that from
requested $48.4 million for the CBSI; however, Congress
FY2010 through FY2018, the Dominican Republic received
appropriated $57.7 million, the same as for FY2016. For
almost 23% of CBSI funding and Jamaica just over 19%.
each of FY2018 and FY2019, the Trump Administration
requested $36.2 million, about a 37% decrease from
In December 2016, Congress enacted P.L. 114-291, the
FY2017, but Congress rejected those cuts. For FY2018,
United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of
Congress appropriated $57.7 million in the Consolidated
2016. The measure required the Secretary of State, in
Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141; H.R. 1625,
coordination with the Administrator of USAID, to submit a
Explanatory Statement, Division K), the same as in
multiyear strategy to Congress for U.S. engagement with
FY2017.
the Caribbean region. Among its provisions, the law
required the strategy to include an approach to partner with
For FY2019, Congress appropriated $58 million for the
Caribbean governments to improve citizen security, reduce
CBSI in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L.
drug trafficking, strengthen the rule of law, and improve the
116-6, H.J.Res. 31, conference report H.Rept. 116-9). In
effectiveness and longevity of the CBSI. The State
addition, both the law and accompanying conference report
Department’s multiyear strategy, issued in June 2017,
direct federal departments and agencies to comply with
included the objectives of strengthening mutual national
reporting requirements contained in the House and Senate
security and advancing the citizens’ safety through
versions of the FY2019 State Department and Foreign
programs to dismantle criminal and terrorist organizations,
Operations appropriations bills in the 115th Congress. The
curb the trafficking of illicit goods and people, strengthen
report to the House bill (H.Rept. 115-829 to H.R. 6385)
the rule of law, improve citizen security, and counter
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Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
vulnerability to terrorist threats—all efforts that have been
central to the CBSI.
Figure 1. Caribbean Countries Receiving CBSI Assistance
Source: The Congressional Research Service.
Notes: Belize receives assistance under CARSI. Haiti receives security-related U.S. bilateral assistance.
Table 1. CBSI Funding By Foreign Aid Account, FY2010-FY2019 (U.S. $millions)
Fiscal Year
ESF
DA
INCLE
NADR
FMF
Total
FY2010
14.000
6.000
27.300
—
14.500
61.800
FY2011
17.000
—
37.500
6.400
16.500
77.400
FY2012
17.000
—
30.000
2.000
15.000
64.000
FY2013
18.802
—
30.000
2.000
9.494
60.296
FY2014
29.200
—
25.000
1.800
7.500
63.500
FY2015
27.000
—
25.000
1.500
5.000
58.500
FY2016
25.000
—
25.221
—
7.500
57.721
FY2017
25.000
—
25.200
—
7.500
57.700
FY2018 (est.)
25.000
—
25.200
—
7.500
57.700
FY2019 (est.)
25.250
—
25.250
—
7.500
58.000
Total
223.252
6.000
275.671
13.700
97.994
616.617
Sources: U.S. Department of State, Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations, Annex: Regional Perspectives, Fiscal Year 2012
to FY2019. Explanatory Statement (Division K) to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, P.L. 115-141 (H.R. 1625). Conference Report to
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (H.Rept. 116-9 to P.L. 116-6).
Notes: ESF = Economic Support Fund; DA = Development Assistance; INCLE = International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement; NADR
= Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, De-mining and Related Programs; and FMF = Foreign Military Financing.
Mark P. Sullivan, Specialist in Latin American Affairs
IF10789
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Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
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