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Updated May 4, 2022
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
The United States developed the Caribbean Basin Security
report to the House-approved version of the foreign aid
Initiative (CBSI), a regional U.S. foreign assistance
appropriations bill approved in July 2021 (H.Rept. 117-84
program, in 2009 through a process of dialogue with
to H.R. 4373) directs the Secretary of State to provide to the
Caribbean countries. The initiative seeks to reduce illicit
Committees on Appropriations a report on the uses of all
trafficking in the region, advance public safety and security,
CBSI funding on a country-by-country basis for each
and promote social justice. Because of their geographic
program, project, and activity for FY2010-FY2021 and to
location, many Caribbean nations are vulnerable to being
integrate such information into the ForeignAssistance.gov
used as transit countries for illicit drugs from South
website.
America destined for the U.S. and European markets.
Strengthened U.S. counternarcotics cooperation with
The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act
Mexico and Central America led U.S. policymakers to
(H.R. 4133), passed by the House on April 27, 2022, would
anticipate a potential increase in narcotics trafficking
authorize $74.8 million for the CBSI for each fiscal year
through the Caribbean. Many Caribbean countries have also
from FY2022 through FY2026 and would establish
suffered high rates of violent crime, including murder, often
monitoring and reporting requirements for the program. In
associated with drug trafficking activities.
addition, the bill would require the State Department, in
coordination with the U.S. Agency for International
President Obama announced the initiative at the fifth
Development (USAID) and the Inter-American Foundation,
Summit of the Americas in 2009. U.S. and Caribbean
to submit a strategy to prioritize efforts to increase disaster
representatives held follow-up meetings and, in 2010, an
response and resilience.
inaugural Caribbean-U.S. Security Cooperation Dialogue,
which approved a declaration of principles, a framework for
Coordinated by the State Department’s Bureau of Western
engagement, and a broad action plan. In October 2020,
Hemisphere affairs and implemented largely by the State
Caribbean and U.S. officials held the ninth dialogue
Department, USAID, and the Department of Defense, the
virtually, with theme of strengthening regional coordination
CBSI has targeted U.S. assistance in five areas:
to address shared security challenges.
Maritime and Aerial Security Cooperation,
In 2017, the State Department released a U.S. strategy for
including assistance to strengthen Caribbean
engagement in the Caribbean (required by P.L. 114-291, the
maritime and aerial operations capability, improve
United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of
radar coverage, and sustain those capabilities;
2016). Among the priorities for engagement is security,
Law Enforcement Capacity Building, including
with the objectives of strengthening mutual national
assistance to improve law enforcement though
security and advancing citizens’ safety through programs to
police professionalization, anti-corruption training,
dismantle criminal and terrorist organizations, curb the
and community-based policing;
trafficking of illicit goods and people, strengthen the rule of
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 FY2022, Congress appropriated $831
seaports;
million for the CBSI, benefiting 13 Caribbean countries—
Justice Sector Reform, including support to
Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica,
increase the efficacy of prosecutors and criminal
the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St.
courts and reform and strengthen juvenile justice
Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
systems; and
Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago (see Table 1 and
Crime Prevention and At-Risk Youth, including
Figure 1). For FY2021, Congress appropriated not less than
assistance to populations vulnerable to being
$74.8 million for the CBSI in the Consolidated
victims of crime or at risk of recruitment into
Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260, Explanatory
criminal organizations.
Statement, Division K).
Although the State Department has not published CBSI
For FY2022, the Biden Administration requested $66
funding statistics by country, a February 2019 U.S.
million for the CBSI, but in March 2022, Congress
Government Accountability Office (GAO) report shows
ultimately appropriated “not less than $80 million” in the
that from FY2010 through FY2018, the Dominican
Consolidated Appropriations Act 2022 (P.L. 117-103; H.R.
Republic received almost 23% of CBSI funding, Jamaica
2471), and required a spend plan for CBSI funds not later
just over 19%, 24% went to seven Eastern Caribbean
than 90 days after the bill’s enactment. In addition, the
countries, and 21% was for region-wide activities.
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
Figure 1. Caribbean Countries Receiving CBSI Assistance
Source: Congressional Research Service.
Table 1. CBSI Funding By Foreign Aid Account, FY2010-FY2022 (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
FY2022 (est.)
35.000
—
35.000
—
10.000
80.000
Total
317.852
6.000
370.871
13.700
122.994
831.417
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); and Explanatory Statements (Division K) to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260)
and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103).
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
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF10789 · VERSION 25 · UPDATED