WASHINGTON, D.C., May 11, 2023 – Speaking at a reception on Capitol Hill Wednesday evening, May 10, His Excellency Wendall Jones, Bahamas Ambassador to the United States, said that in view of the fact that “the Caribbean is composed in the main of young people, all of whom have had better education and higher aspirations than any other previous generation, pressure continues to build for jobs, for housing, for schools, and for better security.”
“Indeed, it has been a major challenge for small developing states to keep pace with the development and progress of modern science and the revolution in information technology and telecommunications. We are doing all of this while battling with the vicissitudes of climate change which threatens our very survival.”
Ambassador Jones added: “As we continue to partner in areas of strategic importance with the United States, like illegal gun trafficking, migration, climate change, energy, food security, and transnational crime, we look forward to the United States’ unwavering support so that we can live a safe and prosperous life in the Western Hemisphere.
“Despite the many areas of collaboration, our region still faces immense obstacles that we are unable to combat alone. We need continued international partnership to address the increasing levels of threats in the region, particularly that of the illicit trafficking of guns. Many of our small nations are used as transit points for the movement of firearms, fueling increased violence in our countries. Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia and others are seeing record-high rates of homicides, with the illegal firearms being traced back to US manufacturers.”
Following is the full text of Ambassador Jones’ remarks
REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY WENDALL K. JONES, BAHAMAS AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES, AT A RECEPTION ON CAPITOL HILL, WASHINGTON, D.C. WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2023
Good evening,
Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Maria Elvira Salazar,
Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere Joaquin Castro,
Caribbean Initiative at the Atlantic Council,
The Chair of the CARICOM Alternates Working Group on CARICOM-US Relations, Omari Williams
Vice Chairs of the CARICOM Alternates Working Group on CARICOM-US Relations, Tracee Dorestant and Shanelle Simmons
CARICOM Alternates, and
Esteemed guests,
I want to thank the Office of Chairwoman Maria Elvira Salazar and Ranking Member Joaquin Castro, and the Atlantic Council for hosting us here this evening. I also want to thank the CARICOM Working Group Subcommittee on CARICOM-US Relations, for assisting with putting this all together.
We are grateful for this opportunity to meet with you all and hope that this reception draws us closer together as we continue to forge stronger relationships between our nations.
The United States and the Caribbean Community (also known as CARICOM) have maintained strong relations for many years. CARICOM is a diverse group that is comprised of fifteen (15) Member States and five (5) Associate Members countries that stretch from The Bahamas all the way to Guyana and Suriname in South America.
We are a group of countries with similar needs, ethnic groups, challenges, and opportunities, and to our core, we share common values that are true to us: unity, equity, integrity, people centeredness, performance-oriented, and a commitment to an abiding respect for the rule of law.
We are a block with our own set of unique challenges that we seek to confront and mitigate at every opportunity.
In view of the fact that the Caribbean is composed in the main of young people, all of whom have had better education and higher aspirations than any other previous generation, pressure continues to build for jobs, for housing, for schools, and for better security. Indeed it has been a major challenge for small developing states to keep pace with the development and progress of modern science and the revolution in information technology and telecommunications. We are doing all of this while battling with the vicissitudes of climate change which threatens our very survival.
As we continue to partner in areas of strategic importance with the United States, like illegal gun trafficking, migration, climate change, energy, food security, and transnational crime, we look forward to the United States’ unwavering support so that we can live a safe and prosperous life in the Western Hemisphere.
Despite the many areas of collaboration, our region still faces immense obstacles that we are unable to combat alone. We need continued international partnership to address the increasing levels of threats in the region, particularly that of the illicit trafficking of guns. Many of our small nations are used as transit points for the movement of firearms, fueling increased violence in our countries. Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia and others are seeing record-high rates of homicides, with the illegal firearms being traced back to US manufacturers.
In The Bahamas, it is noted that at least ninety (90) per cent of weapons confiscated have been traced to the United States. We implore US legislators to hold gun manufacturers accountable for their role in distributing guns that are making their way to our countries.
You would no doubt appreciate how alarming it is for us when a Caribbean Firearms Study showed recently that the direct medical costs and productivity losses of gun-related violence in The Bahamas alone amounted to $49 million in 2019.
The report showed that “the rate of violent deaths in CARICOM Member States is almost three times the global average.”
“Firearms are used in more than half of all homicides in the whole Caribbean region, and in some countries (in the region) this proportion reaches 90 percent.”
“Case study research in The Bahamas, Barbados, and Jamaica reveals that firearm related violence imposes significant public health and economic burdens on Caribbean communities and societies.”
We advocate for continued law enforcement training, further technical assistance, the exchange of best practices and financing. We urge Congress to consider the current landscape of the Caribbean when developing legislation as well.
We cannot forget to acknowledge the current works between the US and the Caribbean through the establishment of the Caribbean Crime Gun Intelligence Unit, being used to intercept traffickers using data and technology.
I reiterate that this fight goes beyond the scope of the collective capabilities of our Caribbean countries.
Addressing the region’s challenges is a multifaceted approach that requires participation from all parties. The reduction of illicit firearms will allow our countries to be safer for citizens and visitors and would allow our governments to allot additional resources to education and social and sustainable development with the aim of alleviating poverty and achieving greater prosperity.
This leads me to my other point of economic recovery and resilience. Though some CARICOM countries have established free trade agreements like the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) with the US, we would like to see the scope of the CBTPA and other trade agreements expand to a more robust partnership. We must do more collectively to coordinate key stakeholders and explore the possibilities that are equitable and fair among all nations involved.
Further, in order to grow our economies, which are limited to industries like tourism, agriculture and fisheries, it is necessary for CARICOM countries to gain access to financing for growth and diversification to be obtained. Unfortunately, many of our countries are considered “rich”, which disqualifies us from financial assistance for renewable energy, agriculture, and further diversification of our economies.
Due to the Caribbean’s limited economies, we are most susceptible to external shocks like those of COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, hikes in interest rates, etcetera. This is why we seek increased investment in the region, a change in criteria that opens us to unimaginable possibilities.
Regarding climate change, we are all aware of the existential threat to our globe; however, CARICOM countries and low-lying areas will be affected substantially in the near future. CARICOM is devoted to working together with the United States on solutions and is grateful for the Biden administration’s commitment through PACC 2030. We must all do our part.
I want to underscore the importance of understanding the needs of the Caribbean, separate and apart from that of Latin America. CARICOM is spread across an area of over 177,000 square miles with a total population of approximately sixteen (16) million people. CARICOM’s land mass and population are significantly small compared to Latin America, which expands across almost 8 million square miles with a population of roughly 611 million people. With such a difference in population size comes unique challenges for both regions.
There is a growing perception in many countries in the Caribbean that our region is taken for granted by many politicians in the United States. This view is taking root, while the US is challenged in its geographical sphere by China which is located on the next side of the world.
We believe the United States should rethink its aid and support for CARICOM countries. China has an active programme of engagement and its generosity is well known.
While efforts of the Biden administration at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles were steps in the right direction, the pathway for progress is to embrace a clearly stated US doctrine for the Caribbean to include an energetic engagement, taking in account the welfare of the people of the region.
We hope that with this gathering, we learn more about each other which will open the doors for greater understanding to strengthen CARICOM-US relations. We must remain steadfast in our mission to build a stronger and better hemisphere. Thank you, and enjoy the remainder of your evening.
