Caribbean grapples with illegal guns
Victoria Mendizabal contributed research and drafting assistance to today’s newsletter.
The U.S. State Department recently issued travel advisories for The Bahamas and Jamaica in response to an increase in homicides and gang violence in these countries. (Miami Herald)
Sixty-five people have been murdered in Jamaica since the new year, according to official data, though the number represents a decline over the same time period in 2023.
The U.S. warning regarding the Bahamas noted 18 murders there so far in 2024.
A recent UNODC report identified the proliferation of firearms as a key factor contributing to high levels of lethal violence in Latin America and the Caribbean. Countries in the region reported the highest proportion of homicides involving the use of firearms, ranging from 65% in Central America, 67% in the Caribbean, and 70% in South America for the year 2021, compared with 62% in North America, 12% in Europe, and 15% in Asia. (InSight Crime)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves urged the United States to address the issue of easy access and exportation of illegal firearms to Latin America and the Caribbean. In a radio interview, Gonsalves highlighted the significant impact of guns manufactured in the US and the violence linked to the illegal drugs trade as major contributors to the high murder rates in the region. (Loop)
A significant portion of the illegal firearms fueling Caribbean violence comes from the United States, despite Caribbean nations' efforts to combat gun trafficking. Countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, and Jamaica are particularly affected, with gang violence and high-powered weapons becoming increasingly prevalent. (Americas Quarterly)
There is interest in the Caribbean in Mexico’s lawsuit against U.S. gun manufacturers, which alleges that their negligent business practises contribute to illegal trafficking of guns. (Loop) Several Caribbean countries, including the Bahamas and Trinidad, had accepted invitations from Mexico to join as interested parties in the suit. Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, the Bahamas, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago filed an amicus curiae brief in the case, last year. (Caribbean Life, WiredJa, Caribbean Council, Reuters)
Last week a U.S. federal appeals panel ruled that a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Mexico against U.S. gun manufacturers whose weapons are used by drug cartels can proceed, reversing a lower court that had dismissed the case. (Latin America Daily Briefing)
Food Security
Hunger in the Caribbean spiked in 2022: about 4.1 million people—or 57% of the English-speaking Caribbean—reported food insecurity. Some countries in the region import more than 80% of the food they consume, creating a regional import bill of $6 billion per year, according to CARICOM. CARICOM’s “Twenty-Five by 2025” initiative aims to reduce the region’s heavy reliance on food imports by a quarter in two years, bolstering local food production and intra-regional trade. The region faces significant food insecurity, with a high percentage of its population reporting hunger and a substantial import bill of $6 billion annually. (Americas Quarterly)
Democratic Governance
“Cuba needs another Constitution, also established with the participation of all socioeconomic sectors and different political positions and currents of thought, including the diaspora, through free, plural, and democratic dynamics, genuine dialogue, and agreement”, states Roberto Veiga, director del Centro de Estudios “Cuba Próxima” in an interview for 23yflager.
Regional
A new ferry service named Connect Caribe, initiated by private sector efforts aims to enhance regional transport within CARICOM member states. This service, distinct from the government-led initiative involving Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago, plans to deploy three vessels to facilitate passenger and cargo movement. (Guyana News Room)
Climate and Environmental Justice
Suriname’s Saamaka Maroons are preserving a vital piece of their cultural heritage and adapting to the climate crisis by cultivating rare rice species, originally preserved by their ancestors who hid the grains in their hair while fleeing slavery. These rice varieties, known for their resilience to different weather conditions, are crucial for the community's food security amidst climate challenges like droughts and floods. (The Guardian)
By investing in and promoting eco-friendly practices within the region's vibrant festivals and cultural events, the Caribbean can lead the way in marrying its rich cultural heritage with sustainable development, according to Cari-Bois News This integration not only preserves the region's traditions but also aligns with global sustainability efforts, positioning the Caribbean as a standard-bearer in the fusion of culture and environmental consciousness. (Global Voices)
Jamaica is currently experiencing significant development, particularly along its north coast, but local environmentalists are raising concerns about the potential negative impacts on the environment, writes Janine Mendes-Franco in Global Voices. Large-scale projects like The Pinnacle and Harmony Cove, primarily aimed at attracting foreign investment and tourists, are being developed without mandatory Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) or meaningful community engagement.
The recently passed Petroleum Activities Act in Guyana infringes upon the rights of Indigenous peoples, according to Guyana Action Party MP Vincent Henry. He criticized the Act for granting the Minister of Natural Resources extensive powers to designate areas for oil and gas exploration and production without requiring free, prior, and informed consent from the affected Indigenous communities. (Kaiteur News).
The credibility of the Cop28 agreement to “transition away” from fossil fuels rides on the world’s biggest historical polluters like the US, UK and Canada rethinking current plans to expand oil and gas production, according to Pedro Pedroso, the outgoing president of the G77 plus China bloc of developing countries. “We achieved some important outcomes at Cop28 but the challenge now is how we translate the deal into meaningful action for the people,” Pedroso told The Guardian. “As we speak, unless we lie to ourselves, none of the major developed countries, who are the most important historical emitters, have policies that are moving away from fossil fuels, on the contrary, they are expanding”, he explained.
Small Islands Big Picture podcast hosts Emily Wilkinson and Matthew Bishop explore SIDS debt factors from different perspectives. Listen.
In the new episode of CESaRE Voices host Jelani Blake welcomes journalist-activists Kelesha Williams from Television Jamaica and Ryan Bachoo from CNC Trinidad and Tobago.Together they analyze barriers to participation, share triumphant success stories, and explore the tech-powered revolution fueling global climate advocacy. Listen.
The operation of a quarry in Richmond, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is proceeding despite concerns from environmental groups and citizens, due to the absence of an environmental impact assessment and public consultation. The quarry’s activities could lead to various environmental impacts, including water pollution, deforestation, noise pollution, and dust pollution. (IWN)
Human Rights
Desi Bouterse's recent conviction in Suriname has ignited a national debate, reflecting deep societal divides and the nation's complex history, according to Fausia S. Abdul. While some view the verdict as a triumph of justice and a step towards healing, others see it as a political maneuver, breeding skepticism and distrust. The trial symbolizes Suriname's struggle with its past and the challenge of moving forward while honoring democratic values and legal integrity. (Global Voices)
Puerto Rico is debating a bill that would ban hair discrimination, particularly against hairstyles like cornrows and Afros. The bill’s proponents argue that existing federal and local laws don't adequately protect the Afro Caribbean community from discrimination in various areas including public services, work, education, and housing. (Caribbean Life)
UNAIDS welcomed recent amendments to Jamaica’s Domestic Violence Act, which expand protections for survivors of physical and mental abuse, allowing a broader range of individuals, including public officials, to apply for protection orders on behalf of affected individuals, especially children. (Jamaica Observer)
United Nations human rights investigators warned that the OECD global minimum tax plan could violate human rights and potentially discriminate based on race, ethnicity, and gender. The UN Secretary-General has criticized the OECD and voiced support for the UN to take over global tax governance. (Royal Gazette)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Acting Commissioner of Police Enville Williams expressed concern over the rising cases of sexual violence, particularly against increasingly younger victims. (IWN SVG)
Reparations and Decolonisation
St Kitts and Nevis will seek reparations from brewery Greene King in relation to the company’s historical links to slavery. Founder Benjamin Green owned slaves in St Kitts and was compensated after abolition. The Caribbean nation plans to discuss reparatory justice with Greene King, following the company's 2020 acknowledgment of its past and pledges to promote racial inclusion. (Telegraph)
The Caribbean and the World
Taiwan heavily relies on the Caribbean region for diplomatic recognition, with five out of its 13 global allies located there. Despite China's aggressive diplomatic efforts to isolate Taiwan internationally, Caribbean nations like Saint Lucia, Haiti, Belize, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have maintained relations with Taipei. (Americas Quarterly)
Antigua and Barbuda officially opened its embassy in China. (Loop)
Jamaica stated support for the International Court of Justice’s preliminary ruling on the case brought by South Africa against Israel, noting that the Court's provisional measures are crucial for addressing urgent humanitarian concerns. (Hon. Kamina J Smith via X)
Jamaican Judge Patrick Lipton Robinson played a significant role in the International Court of Justice in relation to the case. As a well-respected figure in international law, his vote underscores his commitment to legal principles and human rights. (Alarbiya News)
The Alliance of Small Island States called on UN members states to support a 10-year programme to spur sustainable development for SIDS. (AOSIS)
Public Security
Haiti experienced a severe surge in violence in 2023, with homicides more than doubling compared to the previous year, totaling 4,789. Kidnappings also increased by 83%, underscoring the country's deepening multidimensional crisis. (Jamaica Observer)
UN officials say Haitian “gangs are using sexual assaults, including ‘collective rapes,’ to ‘instill fear, punish, subjugate and inflict pain on local populations with the ultimate goal of expanding their areas of influence,’” reports the Washington Post.
Energy
Silica City, envisioned by Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, represents the country's ambitious future, juxtaposed with the risks inherent in rapid development due to newfound oil wealth. The project aims to create a new "smart city" with modern amenities and infrastructure, reflecting Guyana's potential as a booming economy. However, with its modest beginnings, the project's current state underscores the challenges Guyana faces in managing its oil-driven transformation. (Americas Quarterly)
A new episode of the AQ Podcast is now available. Host Brian Winter, editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly features Jay R. Mandle, professor Emeritus at Colgate University, and they discuss an overview of the past, present, and future of Guyana’s economy as it deals with the discovery of massive oil reserves. Listen.
The Caribbean is leveraging a nearly USD 500 million investment by the World Bank to transition from the costly and limiting fuel trap to a more resilient and sustainable energy hub, capitalizing on its rich renewable resources. This initiative includes country-specific projects in Haiti, Belize, Dominica, and Saint Lucia, alongside broader regional collaborations aimed at fostering private investment and overcoming policy and technical barriers. (World Bank)
Culture
Jason Allen-Paisant, a Jamaica-born poet won the 2023 T.S. Eliot Prize for Poetry for his collection "Self-Portrait As Othello." This collection delves into themes of Black masculinity and immigrant identity. His win marks the third time in five years that a Caribbean poet has claimed the prize. (Global Voices)
The Whitney Biennial, opening on March 20, will feature four artists with Caribbean roots: Isaac Julien, Ligia Lewis, Karyn Olivier, and the late Mavis Pusey. This year’s exhibition, titled "Even Better Than the Real Thing" and co-organized by Meg Onli and Chrissie Iles, aims to present a "dissonant chorus" of creators addressing themes like reality in the age of artificial intelligence, body and identity, history and contemporaneity, and land stewardship amid climate change. (Repeating Islands)
Chita Rivera, an iconic figure in American musical theater with Puerto Rican heritage known for her exceptional talent as a dancer, singer, and actress, passed away at the age of 91. (Repetaing Isalnds)
Opportunities
The Aspen Network of Development Entrepeneurs (ANDE) is seeking applied research to uncover ways to support women entrepreneurs, employees, and consumers in the clean energy sector better. The participating organizations or individuals must be based in either Latin America and the Caribbean or Sub-Saharan Africa and propose to conduct research in the regions. Learn more.
Island Innovation, led by James Ellsmoor and funded by Open Society Foundations, is offering the Caribbean Climate Justice Leaders Academy. The program aims to empower young Caribbean activists, professionals, students, and community leaders by educating them on climate justice, facilitating engagement with global policymakers, and promoting climate action projects. The top 5 participants will attend the fully-funded 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku. Apply.
The United Nations has opened a call for side event proposals for the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), scheduled from May 27-30, 2024, in Antigua and Barbuda. Eligible applicants including Member States, Intergovernmental Organizations, UN entities, and accredited stakeholders can submit proposals that complement the conference's theme and interactive dialogues. The deadline for submissions is March 8, 2024. Apply.
Events
February 16, 2024 at the Inter-American Dialogue (Washington DC) the event Perspectives on Remittances in 2024 is taking place. Feautering panelists Saema Somalya, Executive Vice President, Legal and Risk, Remitly and Paul Dwyer, CEO and Co-founder, Viamericas, among others, discussions on how Remittances should be managed and how they are an important source of growth will take place. Register.