There are over five million Venezuelan refugees and migrants around the world, of whom 200,000 are estimated to be in the Caribbean. Despite border closures and often dangerous travel conditions, Venezuelan migrants continue to try and make the journey to Trinidad and Tobago.
The U.S.-based Caribbean diaspora, as diverse as the region itself, constitutes a mosaic of communities. Coordinating, listening, and working with the Caribbean diaspora will provide U.S. policymakers with pathways to internalize the complexities of the region at large as well as the dynamics within specific Caribbean nations.
The Essequibo territory remains a point of contention between Guyana and Venezuela, and the stage is now set for the ICJ to step in and render a judgment.
Earlier this month, the findings of Suriname’s National Risk Assessment on anti-money laundering and corruption were released. While the country has made progress, it faces a continued struggle to reshape a history and culture of deep institutional corruption.
CARICOM has already proven the effectiveness of using multilateral systems to advance hemispheric solutions, creating an opportunity for the Biden administration to advance common interests in the region.
The current situation in Haiti raises concern regarding the status of the country’s democracy, leaving the international community to evaluate their possible role in the Caribbean nation’s governance crisis.
While this democratic crisis unfolds, the Haitian people also find themselves in a humanitarian crisis. Schools have closed not just due to COVID-19, but to safeguard students and teachers from rampant violent crimes and kidnappings. In addition, 40 percent of the population is food insecure.
Prior governments have failed to make Suriname’s economic system more efficient and publicly accountable. The new administration not only needs to resolve the current financial crisis, but rebuild national and international economic partnerships, regain the public’s trust in key institutions, and fight corruption.
Instead of attempting to counter Chinese influence in the region, U.S. officials and policymakers should focus on providing suitable alternatives to Caribbean states, shifting to a more cooperative approach in the region.
The Caribbean is often associated with money laundering and other forms of financial fraud. This association remains despite considerable efforts by Caribbean governments and professional organizations to enact anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing rules, as well as the establishment of regulations and collaboration with international and regional bodies.
