U.S. Embassy in Barbados hosts Eastern Caribbean security cooperation workshop

The U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, through its Military Liaison Office, organized the annual Eastern Caribbean Security Cooperation Workshop from August 13 to 15, 2024. This event is a vital element of the ongoing partnership between the United States and nations in the Eastern Caribbean, providing an essential platform for dialogue and strategic planning regarding security measures in the area.

Attendees included U.S. Ambassador Roger Nyhus, high-ranking defense and law enforcement representatives from Eastern Caribbean countries, and members of the Florida and Virgin Islands National Guards, who showcased the State Partnership Program. The gathering also featured officials from U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Naval International Programs Office (NIPO), the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of International Acquisitions Programs, and the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.

“Since 2022, we’ve executed nearly 50 State Partnership Program events designed to address the Eastern Caribbean’s top emergent priorities in national and regional security. These activities have covered everything from cybersecurity to search and rescue, to human and drug trafficking, and involved hundreds of participants from across the region,” stated Ambassador Nyhus.

In 2024, the U.S. Foreign Military Finance program allocated over $3.8 million to support the upkeep of the region’s fleet of SAFE Boat interceptors and SeaArk utility vessels. In response to Hurricane Beryl, a Technical Assistance Field Team was dispatched to Grenada to perform essential repairs on boats for the Royal Grenadian Police Force.

To further enhance regional security efforts, the United States has committed an additional $300,000 to the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program this year, raising the total funding to $1 million. The IMET-funded training programs continue to provide exceptional education that fosters lasting military relationships.