KINGSTON, Jamaica– National security ministers from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Wednesday began a three-day meeting with Jamaica’s National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang, saying the gathering is crucial in addressing transnational crime seriously impacting several regional countries.
“The small arms trade, highlighted by the Prime Minister (Andrew Holness) when he spoke at the United Nations, is a major topic for all of us, as well as the transshipment of drugs. We are located between two major continents – the biggest producer of the drugs in South America, and the biggest market is North America,” Chang said.
Jamaica is hosting the 24th meeting of CARICOM’s Council of Ministers of National Security and Law Enforcement (COMOSOLE), that police commissioners from across the region are also attending.
COMOSOLE is responsible for coordinating the multidimensional nature of security to ensure a safe and stable CARICOM. Jamaica is currently serving as chair of the body.
Chang said the region is also confronted by cybersecurity and general maritime security, “which are major strategic issues to be examined and to ensure greater collaboration among all Caribbean countries.
“Collaboration will help reduce the flow [of illicit guns and drugs] as we seek to make our borders safer and work with our friends in the region to share information and manage the entire maritime space.”
The CONSOLE conference will include a meeting of the Security Cluster and a meeting with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which will examine the progress of the regional Maritime Security Strategy and the Treaty of San José.
The treaty is aimed at enhancing the collective ability of the Caribbean to counter maritime drug trafficking.
“We look forward to a successful conference to strengthen the security bonds and sharing of information between our friends in the region so that we can all operate in a safer space,” Chang said.
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