Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, August 5, 2023 – Evidence of a sustained push for military upgrades is emerging across the Caribbean as the region continues to invest in its military arsenal and increase personnel skills.  Large and small nations are investing in training with help from the United States and other overseas countries.

The most recent event saw Turks and Caicos’ Regiment Members leave for an intense annual three-day training exercise in Guyana, dubbed Exercise TRADEWINDS 2023.  Also on site were the US, Canadian and French Armies and several countries, including those with established military forces like the Royal Bermuda Regiment, Jamaica Defence Force and the Surinamese Defence Force.

South America, where criminals smuggle large amounts of drugs to North America, where the drugs are often destined for the Caribbean, has been subject to bouts of violence relating to the illicit trade of both contraband and people.

The recent near collapse of democratic processes in Haiti and the announcement of a potential new Chinese and Cuban military base in Cuba have increased tension in the region prior to the 2023 event.

Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment Marine Ronica Ewing described the event:

“TRADEWINDS has been challenging but it’s been fun as well…I get to meet people from different backgrounds. Some people from the different regiments as well.  So I learned how each regiment operates.  So I can take things from each one and take it back home to improve the regiment that we now have, which has only been in operation for about three years now.  The best thing is learning about the different weapons that they use and also getting that more hands-on military experience… what to expect and so forth.”

The longtime training exercise has garnered scrutiny and prompted think pieces from several publications about the US increasing its allies’ military capacity in case an all-out military offensive becomes necessary, though the US has not mentioned anything to confirm this.  The exercise has been held annually for over three decades.

The US is also increasing humanitarian efforts in the Caribbean military.  The US Navy continues to liaise with the Caribbean on climate change and other issues.  The country has also promised 100 million dollars to help disrupt arms trafficking and help restore Haiti this year.