Latest update March 26th, 2026 12:30 AM
CARICOM maintains Caribbean is a Zone of Peace
(Kaieteur News) – Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) met and discussed various issues on the regional agenda including the increased security build up in the Caribbean and the potential impacts on Member States.
In a statement on Saturday, CARICOM said that with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago which reserved its position, all other Heads “reaffirmed the principle of maintaining the Caribbean region as a Zone of Peace and the importance of dialogue and engagement towards the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflict.”
The Heads agreed that CARICOM remains willing to assist in any regard maintaining this position.
“CARICOM Heads of Government reiterated their continued commitment to fighting narcotrafficking and the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons which adversely affect the Region. They underscored that efforts to overcome these challenges should be through ongoing international cooperation and within international law.”
Further, the CARICOM Heads reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries in the Region as well as the safety and livelihoods of the people of the Region.
Earlier this week, the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) reported that CARICOM leaders met on Wednesday and Thursday this week, including a caucus on the United States request to Grenada to allow Washington to install radar equipment and associate technical personnel at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA), well-placed sources told the CMC.
According to the sources, the caucus meeting took place virtually on Wednesday, which lasted just over five hours and where the leaders received “an update from the Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell,” who is due back in the region following a visit to Africa.
Grenada has confirmed that the United States had written seeking permission to install radar equipment and associated technical personnel at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA).
The government said that “any decisions on that matter will be made only after all technical and legal assessments are completed.
“We wish to assure our citizens that any decision taken will be guided by Grenada’s sovereignty, public safety, and national interest, including the protection of our tourism industry, the traveling public, and the country’s economic well-being,” it added.
But former Grenada Senate president and trade unionist, Chester Humphrey and former foreign affairs minister, Peter David, have publicly come out against such a request, with Humphrey saying he is prepaed to lead a peaceful protest march.
Humphrey said that the move by Washington is a precursor to launching a military strike against the Nicolás Maduro government in Venezuela.
David, an independent legislator, said in a statement that while Grenada values its longstanding partnerships with both the United States and Venezuela, any actions taken must be rooted in diplomacy, mutual respect, and regional cooperation.
On Wednesday, the Commander of the United States Southern Command, Admiral Alvin Holsey, met with senior officials of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) and according to a statement issued afterwards said the “meeting was cordial and productive, reaffirming the US Southern Command’s commitment to supporting Grenada’s national security efforts”.
Holsey also met with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne and A United States Embassy statement said the meeting discussed “Caribbean security and the deepening of both nations’ bilateral defense partnership.
“This partnership is integral to the region’s collective efforts to advance Caribbean security and stability. Our efforts to strengthen partnerships in the Caribbean are vital to combat transnational criminal organizations and illicit traffickers who threaten the region and our homeland,” it added.
Since then, there are reports in the United States media that Holsey has resigned his position in a suprise move and comes amidst tensions between himself and the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth over operations in the Caribbean.
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