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Updated August 27, 2021
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
The United States developed the Caribbean Basin Security
Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260, Explanatory
Initiative (CBSI), a regional U.S. foreign assistance
Statement, Division K).
program, in 2009 through a process of dialogue with
Caribbean countries. The initiative seeks to reduce illicit
For FY2022, the Biden Administration requested $66
trafficking in the region, advance public safety and security,
million for the CBSI, 10% more than that appropriated in
and promote social justice. Because of their geographic
FY2020 and about 12% less than that appropriated for
location, many Caribbean nations are vulnerable to being
FY2021. In congressional action to date, the House-passed
used as transit countries for illicit drugs from South
FY2022 foreign aid appropriations bill, H.R. 4373, would
America destined for the U.S. and European markets.
appropriate not less than $80 million for the CBSI.
Strengthened U.S. counternarcotics cooperation with
Mexico and Central America—through the Mérida
The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act,
Initiative and the Central America Regional Security
H.R. 4133, introduced in June 2021, would authorize $74.8
Initiative (CARSI)—led U.S. policymakers to anticipate a
million for the CBSI for each fiscal year from FY2022
potential increase in narcotics trafficking through the
through FY2026 and would establish monitoring and
Caribbean. Many Caribbean countries have also suffered
reporting requirements for the program. The House had
high rates of violent crime, including murder, often
approved a similar bill in the 116th Congress, H.R. 7703,
associated with drug trafficking activities.
but the Senate did not consider the measure.
President Obama announced the initiative at the fifth
Coordinated by the State Department’s Bureau of Western
Summit of the Americas in 2009. U.S. and Caribbean
Hemisphere affairs and implemented largely by the State
representatives held follow-up meetings and, in 2010, an
Department, USAID, and the Department of Defense, the
inaugural Caribbean-U.S. Security Cooperation Dialogue,
CBSI has targeted U.S. assistance in five areas:
which approved a declaration of principles, a framework for
engagement, and a broad action plan. In October 2020,
Maritime and Aerial Security Cooperation,
Caribbean and U.S. officials held the ninth dialogue
including assistance to strengthen Caribbean
virtually, with theme of strengthening regional coordination
maritime and aerial operations capability, improve
to address shared security challenges.
radar coverage, and sustain those capabilities;
Law Enforcement Capacity Building, including
In June 2017, the State Department released a U.S. strategy
assistance to improve law enforcement though
for engagement in the Caribbean (required by P.L. 114-291,
police professionalization, anti-corruption training,
the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of
and community-based policing;
2016). Among the priorities for engagement is security,
Border/Port Security and Firearms
with the objectives of strengthening mutual national
security and advancing citizens’ safety through progr
Interdiction, including support to improve
ams to
capacity to intercept smuggled narcotics, weapons,
dismantle criminal and terrorist organizations, curb the
bulk cash, and other contraband at airports and
trafficking of illicit goods and people, strengthen the rule of
seaports;
law, and counter vulnerability to terrorist threats—all
efforts central to the CBSI.
Justice Sector Reform, including support to
increase the efficacy of prosecutors and criminal
Congress has supported funding for the CBSI. From
courts and reform and strengthen juvenile justice
FY2010 through FY2021, Congress appropriated $751
systems; and
million for the CBSI, benefiting 13 Caribbean countries—
Crime Prevention and At-Risk Youth, including
Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica,
assistance to populations vulnerable to being
the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St.
victims of crime or at risk of recruitment into
Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
criminal organizations.
Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago (see Table 1 and
Figure 1).
Although the State Department has not published CBSI
funding statistics by country, a February 2019 U.S.
From FY2018-FY2021, Congress did not approve Trump
Government Accountability Office (GAO) report shows
Administration budget requests that would have cut CBSI
that from FY2010 through FY2018, the Dominican
funding significantly. For FY2021, the Administration
Republic received almost 23% of CBSI funding, Jamaica
requested $32 million for the CBSI, a cut of almost 47%
just over 19%, 24% went to seven Eastern Caribbean
from that appropriated in FY2020; Congress appropriated
countries, and 21% was for region-wide activities.
not less than $74.8 million for the CBSI in the Consolidated
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Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
Figure 1. Caribbean Countries Receiving CBSI Assistance
Source: 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-FY2021 (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
25.000
—
25.200
—
7.500
57.700
FY2019
25.250
—
25.250
—
7.500
58.000
FY2020
27.300
—
25.200
—
7.500
60.000
FY2021 (est.)
32.300
—
35.000
—
7.500
74.800
Total
282.852
6.000
335.871
13.700
112.994
751.417
Sources: U.S. Department of State, Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations, Annex: Regional Perspectives, FY2012 to
FY2021; Explanatory Statement (Division K) to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, P.L. 115-141; Conference Report to the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (H.Rept. 116-9 to P.L. 116-6); Explanatory Statement (Division G) to the Further Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-94); Explanatory Statement (Division K) to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260).
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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