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.

Staff Writer

#Guyana, July 27, 2023 – General Laura Richardson, the commander of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) is on a visit in Georgetown Guyana currently and she is engaging in talks around the US defense partnership with the country and its Caribbean Community (CARICOM) counterparts.

Richardson’s visit to the island is in line with Guyana’s hosting of “Tradewinds,” which is a multinational exercise aimed to improve the region’s security capabilities.  Tradewinds is focused on fortifying partnerships among participating defense and public security forces, fostering international cooperation, and promoting human rights.

In continuation, the commander’s agenda includes meetings with key officials of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and CARICOM.  The officials include Brigadier Omar Khan, Chief of Staff of the GDF, and Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General, and Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch. This is according to a statement from the US Embassy.

Richardson will also observe events of the Tradewinds exercise as well as actively participate in its closing ceremony. Tradewinds 2023 started on July 15th and will end on the 28th.

As pointed out in the embassy statement, the security partnership between the United States and Guyana has been perennial and this visit is an indication of the continuation of that relationship. The partnership is characterized by strong collaboration between SOUTHCOM and the GDF, with a focus area concerned with disaster preparedness, humanitarian assistance, maritime security, human rights, professional development, and the integration of women in peace, defense, and public security missions; with countering transnational criminal organizations as an additional desired goal for the joint effort.

Richardson’s visit to the country is the second; she first visited in August 202