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Updated December 28, 2022
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
The United States developed the Caribbean Basin Security
2471), and required a spend plan for CBSI funds not later
Initiative (CBSI), a regional U.S. foreign assistance
than 90 days after the bill’s enactment.
program, in 2009 through a process of dialogue with
Caribbean countries. The initiative seeks to reduce illicit
For FY2023, the Administration requested $63.5 million for
trafficking in the region, advance public safety and security,
the CBSI, almost 21% less than appropriated by Congress
and promote social justice. Because of their geographic
for FY2022 and 15% less than provided for FY2021. In the
location, many Caribbean nations are vulnerable to being
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (H.R. 2617,
used as transit countries for illicit drugs from South
Division K), Congress appropriated “not less than $82
America destined for the U.S. and European markets.
million” for the CBSI, and the explanatory statement to the
Strengthened U.S. counternarcotics cooperation with
measure required a spend plan prior to the obligation of
Mexico and Central America led U.S. policymakers to
funds.
anticipate a potential increase in narcotics trafficking
through the Caribbean. Many Caribbean countries have also
The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act
suffered high rates of violent crime, including murder, often
(H.R. 4133), passed by the House in April 2022, would
associated with drug trafficking activities.
have authorized $74.8 million for the CBSI for each fiscal
year from FY2022 through FY2026 and would have
President Obama announced the initiative at the fifth
established monitoring and reporting requirements for the
Summit of the Americas in 2009, and, in 2010, U.S. and
program. In addition, the bill would have required the State
Caribbean representatives held an inaugural Caribbean-U.S.
Department, in coordination with the U.S. Agency for
Security Cooperation Dialogue, which approved a
International Development (USAID) and the Inter-
declaration of principles, a framework for engagement, and
American Foundation, to submit a strategy to prioritize
a broad action plan. In May 2022, Caribbean and U.S.
efforts to increase disaster response and resilience.
officials held the 10th security cooperation dialogue, with
discussions focused on combatting firearms trafficking,
Coordinated by the State Department’s Bureau of Western
countering illicit maritime trafficking and transnational
Hemisphere affairs and implemented largely by the State
organized crime, preventing youth crime and violence,
Department, USAID, and the Department of Defense, the
cybersecurity and cybercrime, and human trafficking.
CBSI has targeted U.S. assistance in five areas:
Maritime and Aerial Security Cooperation, including
In 2017, the State Department released a U.S. strategy for
assistance to strengthen Caribbean maritime and aerial
engagement in the Caribbean (required by P.L. 114-291, the
operations capability, improve radar coverage, and
United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of
sustain those capabilities;
2016). Among the priorities for engagement is security,
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 police
dismantle criminal and terrorist organizations, curb the
professionalization, anti-corruption training, and
trafficking of illicit goods and people, strengthen the rule of
community-based policing;
law, and counter vulnerability to terrorist threats—all
Border/Port Security and Firearms Interdiction,
efforts central to the CBSI.
including support to improve capacity to intercept
smuggled narcotics, weapons, bulk cash, and other
Congress has supported funding for the CBSI. From
contraband at airports and seaports;
FY2010 through FY2023, Congress appropriated
Justice Sector Reform, including support to increase
$913 million for the CBSI, benefiting 13 Caribbean
the efficacy of prosecutors and criminal courts and
countries—Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados,
reform and strengthen juvenile justice systems; and
Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana,
Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the
Crime Prevention and At-Risk Youth, including
Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago (see Table
assistance to populations vulnerable to being victims of
1 and Figure 1). For FY2021, Congress appropriated not
crime or at risk of recruitment into criminal
less than $74.8 million for the CBSI in the Consolidated
organizations.
Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260, Explanatory
Although the State Department has not published CBSI
Statement, Division K).
funding statistics by country, a February 2019 U.S.
Government Accountability Office (GAO) report showed
For FY2022, the Biden Administration requested $66
that from FY2010 through FY2018, the Dominican
million for the CBSI, but in March 2022, Congress
Republic received almost 23% of CBSI funding, Jamaica
ultimately appropriated “not less than $80 million” in the
just over 19%, 24% went to seven Eastern Caribbean
Consolidated Appropriations Act 2022 (P.L. 117-103; H.R.
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-FY2023 (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
32.300
—
35.000
—
7.500
74.800
FY2022 (est.)
35.000
—
35.000
—
10.000
80.000
FY2023 (est.)
37.000
—
35.000
—
10.000
82.000
Total
354.852
6.000
405.871
13.700
132.994
913.417
Sources: U.S. Department of State, Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations, FY2012 to FY2023; 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),
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103), and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (H.R. 2617).
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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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF10789 · VERSION 29 · UPDATED