U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) recently introduced a bipartisan bill that would authorize appropriations of $82 million for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to the U.S. State Department and the United States Agency for International Development to carry out the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative.
“The Caribbean is a critical part of Miami’s economy, and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative provides the necessary structure for growth, stability, and security in the region,” Rep. Salazar said on April 11. “We must continue to help our partners in the Caribbean invest in resilient infrastructure, develop a workforce for the future, fight gangs and criminal activity, and oppose the malign influence of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela in the region.”
The congresswoman on March 27 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act, H.R. 1802, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) to authorize the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, enhance the U.S.-Caribbean security partnership, and prioritize natural disaster resilience, according to the text of the bill.
Because funding for the initiative currently requires reauthorization each fiscal year, an enacted H.R. 1802 would provide the program with greater long-term stability by authorizing funding for the next five years, including for Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Salazar’s staff.
The long-term funding for the initiative would be used to promote civilian safety, security, and the rule of law in the region by enhancing law enforcement and military capabilities, strengthening strategic cooperation, and bolstering local justice systems, the text of the bill says.
“Strengthening the security of the Caribbean in a multidimensional manner will help fortify stability and development with some of the United States’ closest allies,” said Rep. Espaillat. “As we continue our work together, we are taking vital steps to increase citizen safety, build resilience to natural disasters caused by global heating, and improve strategies to reduce illegal narcotics trafficking in the region.”
U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) on March 16 introduced the same-named companion bill, S. 841, in their chamber.