A regional security expert is warning that the Caribbean’s identity as a “zone of peace” is under threat.
For years, the Caribbean has promoted itself as a zone of peace, a region defined by diplomacy and cooperation. However, regional security expert Dr. Garvin Heerah believes that reputation is now being tested.
“We have an identity in the region, in the Caribbean, as a zone of peace. And due to what we have been seeing over the years with the narco trafficking, human trafficking, human smuggling, transnational organised crime, and some of the challenges many of the island states are facing, the zone of peace seems to be slipping away.”
He said maintaining that identity will require decisive and unified action among CARICOM member states.
“We have to get serious with our regional security. We have to get serious with our actions as CARICOM nations. And we have to be more unified and collective in how we make decisions with regard to our security. So I think the issue is we want to hold on to the identity of a zone of peace, but presently we are challenged, and that zone of peace seems to be dwindling unless we do something and do something fast. And I think that’s the approach that needs to be adopted.”
At the opening ceremony of CARICOM’s 50th Heads of Government Meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar accused CARICOM of failing to defend its own members after Venezuela threatened both Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in 2025.
Based on this, Dr Heerah said CARICOM must adapt more quickly to changing realities.
“You see the CARICOM needs to understand that CARICOM is evolving. CARICOM has not failed. It is evolving. And therefore, the environment has shifted incrementally. And we can’t just sit here and continue to do business as usual. We have to adjust, and we have to also shift our narrative, our approaches, our strategies incrementally. And presently, I believe there needs to be a review with regard to regional security in CARICOM.”
He was speaking on Trinidad and Tobago Today.
It was never a zone of peace it was always a zone of drugs & human trafficking.
When was it ever a zone of peace, drug smuggling, and Piracy is rampant and have always been rampant, especially in the southern caribbean. Trinidad needs to walk away from CARICOM and team up with other SOUTHERN STATES like Suriname and Guyana……if certain caricom members were colluding with maduro to attack Guyana, then that means CARICOM cannot be Trusted.
Even the purported 'security expert' does not seem to be familiar with what it is.
The Caribbean "zone of peace" is due to the simple fact that Caribbean countries are too small, poor and distant to wage war or an official military campaign on each other. America is the security guarantor of the whole western hemisphere protecting the national sovereignty of every country. Caricom can never replace US protection. What's funny is that there is ALOT of violence in the Caribbean due to gangs and criminal organisations and Caricom unity would increase that as violent gang control countries such as Jamaica,Trinidad,Haiti and Barbados could export their corrupt to decent Caribbean countries. We reject this and value our sovereignty.
We can make it peaceful when we, across all stratas of society within CARICOM, do not undermine those who extend a helping hand. We know we are only a pocket in the global setting but we can acknowledge other countries with respect so we all feel the strength of camadery across borders. Partnerships give us a strong chain to hold on to so we are not left to fall apart. Leaders represent their people in maintaining their democratic rights. By invitations, perhaps, greater trade negotiations can, as a CARICOM package, welcome investors to strengthen our mission for peace. History can repeat itself as we look north and recall Grenada needing strategic military defence to restore democracy to the people; enjoyed until today. As CARICOM grows older, we must become, "wise/r".
THOSE that pleasure the devil shall know the merciless judgement of god and the ultimate reward of hell…!!!
Caricom is a fraud it benefits the politicians to hide behind the crimes St Lucia's ex prime Minister said it best St Lucia should get out caricom it does not work
Over the carribean history the islands were always turmoil with nations at war trying to take over the caribbean
Y'all failed to address the elephant in the room when "Zone of Peace" is mentioned…the active US military presence in the region….the warship that docked in Trinidad…the m**der of several fisherfolk…which our PM actively endorses…
What can we do
We can't go back to that which we thought we had because the truth is, no earthly government can bring true peace on earth, man is too corrupted, the kingdom of Jesus Christ is coming and no one can stop the destruction that has to come to this wicked generation, just like they couldn't stop the great flood. Get on the Ark of Jesus Christ and obey his commandments and remember his Sabbath Saturday rest that you may have right to the tree of life and enter the gates of New Jerusalem.
Zone of the wilfully delusional more like
we need to come together as 1
1 economy
1 nation
1 currency
Yeah yes is not as on a piece if you live in🇭🇹🇯🇲🇹🇹 those islands have a Very HIGH LEVEL OF VIOLENT !!! HIGH CRIME HIGH TURMOIL CROOKED CORRUPTED POLITICAL LEADERS. the Caribbean is a zone of piece depending on which island you live in. And if my people in the Caribbean do not get the act together and stop this bullshit crime wave it could affect tourism numbers because no tourists from United States United Kingdom Canada or elsewhere what's the visit a Caribbean island that is infested with crime murder rape people trafficking infested with cocaine and heroin dealers you got down there in the Caribbean get your mother fucking act together ASAP
A Trini talking about unity… With a racist, drunk, idiot of a Prime Minister in charge. okay
Funny how he conveniently doesn't mention hostile US policies
There no zone of peace. That’s bull shit. Doh fool self.
Our leader are weak in the Caribbean. Grow balls and come together
• "The LAW OF WAR can no more wholly dispense with RETALIATION THAN CAN THE LAW OF NATIONS, OF WHICH IT IS A BREACH. Yet Civilized Nations acknowledge RETALIATION AS THE STERNEST FEATURE OF WAR. A Reckless Enemy often leaves to his opponent NO OTHER MEANS OF SECURING HIMSELF AGAINST THE REPETITION OF BARBAROUS OUTRAGE."
General Orders. 100 (Lieber Code) Article 27
"A MIXED WAR is one which is made ON ONE SIDE BY PUBLIC AUTHORITY, AND THE OTHER SIDE BY MERE PRIVATE PERSONS."
Black's Law Dictionary, 5th Edition, page 1420
This guy is a traitor. The US has an agenda for the Caribbean, and it's isn't a good one. Meanwhile, this fool of a JACKASS here eats Trump's shit. While he rape the Caribbean for all her riches. 😢 Trump bragged about how he took Venezuela's oil like nothing.