Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett has noted the value of collective regional action in an end-of-year address.
In 2023, CARICOM observed the 50th Anniversary of signing the original Treaty of Chaguaramas with various events.
Barnett said the occasion allowed reflection on accomplishments and recommitment to the vision of CARICOM’s founders.
She observed that the past 50 years have taught that the Region can achieve significantly more with collective action.
“With one voice, we decried the devastating wars that have precipitated humanitarian crises and signalled our support for the adherence to the fundamental principles of international law, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity, most recently in the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy,” Barnett recalled.
“We continued our strident advocacy for international support to help return our sister Member State, Haiti, to peace and stability, and for support to the War on Guns, which is negatively impacting security across our Region,” she stated.
Barnett also spoke of CARICOM’s advocacy throughout the year for decisive action to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
The Secretary-General said that as the Region enters 2024, the CARICOM Secretariat will continue to diligently administer the Community’s priorities.
They include deepening economic integration and trade, strengthening foreign policy coordination and community relations and human and social development, sustainable development, and regional security.
” In particular, we are focused on efforts to implement the free movement of all CARICOM nationals within the Community by March 2024 as determined by Heads of Government,” Barnett disclosed.
You want to stop the guns and drugs? Here is what Caricom needs to do.
Every nation needs a comprehensive security plan to surveil their borders including porous borders of the nook and crannies that every island presents. The back waters where any boat can sneak in at 3am with their contraband. A dedicated task force well funded for each island will be needed
The air and sea ports where where goods and services enter the countries must invest in systems that allow every item entering and leaving port to be examined. That includes sniffer dogs, x-ray machine, chemical and substance detection machines and a lot of vetted agents who will uphold the integrity of every nation.
Strick, swift and punitive measures be implemented to prosecute anyone (civilian or government agent) who try to violate a nations souvreignty for greed and personal gain. Government agents must be paid a handsome salary to discourage agents from going rogue and given other perks such as concession for family vacation, subsidised lunch, subsidised personal holidays, discount on home furnishings etc etc.
Every nation must have a dedicated naval force with the latest surveillance technology that can protect its borders, including helicopters, naval vessels, drones, remote underwater vehicles, a quick response naval force of minimum 1000 trained operatives who constantly watch every nations borders…
Weed out corrupt politicians and their accomplices while at the same time implement policies that develop the citizenry and inspire them to positive community action through education( no-one should leave school with atleast a college level education), sports including making sports more viable and lucrative to pursue. Night life and entertainment, community development and beautification, development of scientific research and innovation, arts and entertainment etc etc…
Deal with the issue of inflation and higher prices of products. Produce in house most of what society consumes should help reduce prices. Increase salaries island wide to help with inflation. Every family should atleast have a leaving wage irrespective of the job they do..
There is more but I will leave it here…
If a nation can implement these measures, I guarantee you there will be less drugs coming through our shores, less crime in society, better well informed citizens proud to do their duty.
That should make for a more prosperous society