CARICOM Leaders going to Trinidad & Tobago in April; Symposium on CRIME

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#TrinidadandTobago, February 20, 2023 – As Caribbean countries continue to express concerns over the escalating crime situation in the region, CARICOM has revealed that Trinidad and Tobago will be hosting a regional symposium on crime in April to discuss the matter.

The revelation was made by the outgoing Chair of CARICOM, Bahamas Prime Minister Phillip Davis, at the closing of the 44th regular meeting last Friday.

“Heads of government expressed deep concern at the current levels of violence being experienced in member states. We recognized that to adequately address crime and violence a holistic approach must be undertaken, which addresses economic growth and prosperity, legislative, judicial, police and education reform,” Davis said.

He added, “In this regard, the meeting agreed to a symposium to be hosted by Trinidad and Tobago in April 2023 to consider crime, particularly violent crime, as a public health concern.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that the issue of trafficking in arms will be a major topic being discussed at the meeting in Port of Spain, as several Caribbean leaders have been calling on the United States to help curb the export of small arms to the region.

“A discussion on violence in the Caribbean cannot be disassociated from the fact that it is guns that generate most of these violent crimes so guns will be an issue, and yes, that is a topic we all have taken to the doorsteps of the manufacturers of guns.

“For me, I have continually said to our neighbours in the north their right to bear arms does not equate to the right in trafficking in arms. You have the right to bear it, but we don’t believe you have a right to traffic it.”

Several factors have contributed to the region being a hotspot for crime, violence, and gang activity. These include the high unemployment rates, a lack of economic development and opportunity and drug trafficking.