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Updated November 16, 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 July 2021, the House approved its version of
used as transit countries for illicit drugs from South
the FY2022 foreign aid appropriations bill, H.R. 4373
America destined for the U.S. and European markets.
(H.Rept. 117-84), which would appropriate not less than
Strengthened U.S. counternarcotics cooperation with
$80 million for the CBSI. In October 2021, the Senate
Mexico and Central America—through the Mérida
Appropriations Committee introduced its version of the bill,
Initiative and the Central America Regional Security
S. 3075; the explanatory statement to the bill would
Initiative (CARSI)—led U.S. policymakers to anticipate a
recommend $74.5 million for the CBSI.
potential increase in narcotics trafficking through the
Caribbean. Many Caribbean countries have also suffered
The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act
high rates of violent crime, including murder, often
(H.R. 4133), ordered reported by the House Foreign Affairs
associated with drug trafficking activities.
Committee in September 2021, would authorize $74.8
million for the CBSI for each fiscal year from FY2022
President Obama announced the initiative at the fifth
through FY2026 and would establish monitoring and
Summit of the Americas in 2009. U.S. and Caribbean
reporting requirements for the program. The House
representatives held follow-up meetings and, in 2010, an
approved a similar bill in the 116th Congress (H.R. 7703),
inaugural Caribbean-U.S. Security Cooperation Dialogue,
but the Senate did not consider the measure.
which approved a declaration of principles, a framework for
engagement, and a broad action plan. In October 2020,
Coordinated by the State Department’s Bureau of Western
Caribbean and U.S. officials held the ninth dialogue
Hemisphere affairs and implemented largely by the State
virtually, with theme of strengthening regional coordination
Department, USAID, and the Department of Defense, the
to address shared security challenges.
CBSI has targeted U.S. assistance in five areas:
In June 2017, the State Department released a U.S. strategy
Maritime and Aerial Security Cooperation,
for engagement in the Caribbean (required by P.L. 114-291,
including assistance to strengthen Caribbean
the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of
maritime and aerial operations capability, improve
2016). Among the priorities for engagement is security,
radar coverage, and sustain those capabilities;
with the objectives of strengthening mutual national
Law Enforcement Capacity Building, including
security and advancing citizens’ safety through programs to
assistance to improve law enforcement though
dismantle criminal and terrorist organizations, curb the
police professionalization, anti-corruption training,
trafficking of illicit goods and people, strengthen the rule of
and community-based policing;
law, and counter vulnerability to terrorist threats—all
Border/Port Security and Firearms
efforts central to the CBSI.
Interdiction, including support to improve
capacity to intercept smuggled narcotics, weapons,
Congress has supported funding for the CBSI. From
bulk cash, and other contraband at airports and
FY2010 through FY2021, Congress appropriated $751
seaports;
million for the CBSI, benefiting 13 Caribbean countries—
Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica,
Justice Sector Reform, including support to
the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St.
increase the efficacy of prosecutors and criminal
Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
courts and reform and strengthen juvenile justice
Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago (see Table 1 and
systems; and
Figure 1).
Crime Prevention and At-Risk Youth, including
assistance to populations vulnerable to being
From FY2018-FY2021, Congress did not approve Trump
victims of crime or at risk of recruitment into
Administration budget requests that would have cut CBSI
criminal organizations.
funding significantly. For FY2021, the Administration
requested $32 million for the CBSI, a cut of almost 47%
Although the State Department has not published CBSI
from that appropriated in FY2020; Congress appropriated
funding statistics by country, a February 2019 U.S.
not less than $74.8 million for the CBSI in the Consolidated
Government Accountability Office (GAO) report shows
that from FY2010 through FY2018, the Dominican
Republic received almost 23% of CBSI funding, Jamaica
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Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
just over 19%, 24% went to seven Eastern Caribbean
countries, and 21% was for region-wide activities.
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.
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Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
Mark P. Sullivan, Specialist in Latin American Affairs
IF10789
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