PM Urges Continued Regional Security Cooperation

Outgoing Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Chair and Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is urging continued cooperation and intelligence sharing among member states to tackle transnational organised crime and gangs.

Addressing Tuesday’s (Feb. 24) opening ceremony of the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Holness noted that the Montego Bay Declaration on Transnational Organised Crime and Gangs, adopted during Jamaica’s chairmanship, marked an important step in establishing a unified regional stance.

“This work must continue through intelligence sharing, joint operations, interoperable border management systems, and stronger alignment with regional and international partners,” he said.

Dr. Holness noted that organised criminal networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, technologically enabled, better armed, and not constrained by national boundaries.

“This week’s events in Mexico exemplify that left unchecked, such networks can grow powerful and brazen enough to challenge the state itself,” he pointed out.

He said that CARICOM member states must also consider the closely related matter of territorial integrity.

“As small states with vast maritime spaces and strategically important geographies, we each face pressures, external claims, illicit incursions, and evolving geopolitical interests that can challenge the sanctity of our borders,” he noted.

He highlighted the gains made in regional security during Jamaica’s tenure as chair.

“We strengthened collaboration with CARICOM Impacs (Implementation Agency for Crime and Security), deepened engagement with Interpol, and advanced coordinated efforts on border management and intelligence sharing. On Haiti, we reaffirmed that CARICOM has a critical role in supporting the political, humanitarian, and security pillars of the recovery,” Dr. Holness outlined.

He said that Jamaica remains fully committed to the work of the United Nations (UN) Security Council-endorsed Gang Suppression Force, the Standing Group of Partners, the Eminent Persons Group, and the Organization of American States (OAS) in supporting a coherent and sequenced pathway towards stability.

The 50th Regular Conference is being held from February 24 to 27, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew.

The theme of the meeting is ‘Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving, Sustainable CARICOM.’