Caribbean security leaders meet in Trinidad and Tobago to discuss cooperation

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (Dec. 12, 2024) -- U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) leaders joined regional defense and security leaders this week to discuss security challenges and regional cooperation during the Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC) 2024 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

U.S. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, Commander of SOUTHCOM, joined Vice Air Marshall Darryl Daniel, Chief of Staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, in co-hosting CANSEC.

Also during the week, Holsey met with national leaders for a series of bilateral meetings and engagements, including the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr. Keith Rowley.

During the conference, defense and security leaders from the Caribbean exchanged ideas, experiences, and perspectives on regional collaborative efforts to address security challenges in the 21st century.

"Our commonalities go beyond common terrain. We are bound by shared history, culture, values, and economics. We dedicate ourselves to upholding and established norms and universal values like respect for human rights and the rule of law," said Holsey during the conference's opening ceremony.

"Still, the threats we face continue to evolve. Democratic governance is being assailed by authoritarian and communist governments, who, under the guise of investment, have come to the Western Hemisphere to extract, while championing the virtues of autocracy. Their influence and presence have far-reaching consequences across all domains - including the maritime domain which we are collectively committed to keeping the region's waterways, including the Panama Canal, free, open, and prosperous," said Holsey.

This year's conference theme was "Strengthening Bonds, Securing Futures: United for Regional Security". The event included discussions on countering threats across multiple domains, as well as enabling a regional approach to respond to natural disasters and crises.

Holsey joined defense leaders from 16 nations for two days of dialogue, briefings, and bilateral meetings focused on cooperation and regional security.

"With so many leaders present today, the next couple of days provides us with a unique opportunity to affirm our commitment to collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships as we address our common threats and challenges," said Holsey.

"As allies and partners, it is imperative that we continue our efforts across all domains to increase readiness, build capacity, and develop resiliency necessary to overcome enduring threats, "said Holsey. "Change sometimes takes time. But the commitment to change starts the moment we all decide to act. It is our collective responsibility to act."

CANSEC is sponsored annually by SOUTHCOM in the region and was last hosted by Trinidad and Tobago in 2018.

The U.S. military has an enduring partnership with defense and security forces in the Caribbean.

U.S. and regional forces routinely train together in annual exercises, including Tradewinds, which is the region's premier multinational training exercise focused on Caribbean security.

U.S. military and Caribbean partners also collaborate in efforts to detect, disrupt, and dismantle transnational criminal organizations and traffickers, and collaborate on efforts to strengthen humanitarian assistance and disaster response capabilities in the region.

"The power of our partnership will prove the strength of democracy to people of this region and the world," Holsey said.

SOUTHCOM is one of the nation's six geographically focused unified commands with responsibility for U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America, as well as security cooperation with defense and public-security forces in the region.