Rising gun crime in the Caribbean: Urgent action required from everyone

By Sir Ronald Sanders

There has been an alarming increase in gun-related violence, particularly among youth and gangs. This scourge has now spread from other parts of the Caribbean to Antigua and Barbuda, which has recently seen a spike in gun violence.

Throughout my life experience, Antigua has traditionally had a low murder rate. Unfortunately, this cherished tradition has been disrupted by an increase in daylight robberies, particularly of small convenience stores, and even more tragically, by an increase in murders.

The current wave of violence in Antigua, while deeply troubling, reflects a broader trend that has been occurring in other Caribbean countries for much longer. Haiti, for example, has the notorious distinction of being the worst affected, with armed gangs controlling large parts of the country despite the presence of a Kenyan military force, invited by the government and sanctioned by the UN Security Council.

My friend and colleague in Antigua, Lennox Weston, recently published a sobering report on the 2022 murder rates per 100,000 people in CARICOM countries, as compiled by the World Population Review: Jamaica (53.4), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (40.41), Trinidad and Tobago (39.52), Saint Lucia (36.7), the Bahamas (31.22), Belize (27.88), Haiti (18.02), Barbados (15.27) and Antigua and Barbuda (10.67). Based on anecdotal evidence and media reports of homicides, these figures have likely increased over the past two years, underscoring the seriousness of the problem in the region.

The ongoing illegal arms trade in the Caribbean fuels this violence. Most of these weapons originate in the United States. Despite assurances from the current US administration, the flow of illegal weapons has not diminished. This problem is linked to the ease with which Americans can buy weapons, inadequate administration, and US internal politics, where the gun lobby – long with many citizens – fiercely advocates for the right to bear and buy weapons.

As long as arms procurement remains a domestic political issue in the US, the provision of crucial information about arms shipments to the Caribbean will remain sporadic, limited to those occasions when US customs officials are able to intercept illicit shipments in their ports. This reality requires CARICOM countries to take cooperative measures to jointly police their territorial waters, with overlapping jurisdiction to intercept vessels carrying illicit arms. The problem is as much regional as it is national, and while countries such as Antigua and Barbuda are increasing their maritime capacity, regional cooperation is essential. This includes the right to pursue suspicious vessels in each other’s territorial waters.

Historically, the Caribbean’s geography has made it vulnerable to illicit trafficking routes, and this challenge has evolved as modern criminals exploit regional integration efforts to expand their networks. Organized criminals take advantage of economic integration to grow a lucrative network of crime, particularly in arms and drug trafficking, and establish local “branches” in the region. In reality, these criminals are better organized regionally than CARICOM’s law enforcement agencies, despite the efforts of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and the Regional Security System (RSS), which lack comprehensive enforcement mechanisms across the region.

It should be noted that IMPACS itself has drawn attention to the facts that “regional gangs are increasingly integrating with international criminal networks” and “gangs are increasingly diversifying into a broader spectrum of criminal activities”. IMPACS also reported that by 2023, firearms would be responsible for 80 percent of all homicides in CARICOM countries.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, alarmed by the presence of “474 repeat offenders roaming our streets with impunity,” has announced that while Antigua has adopted a liberal immigration policy, there will be “zero tolerance for immigrants involved in criminal activities.” Such individuals will be immediately deported upon conviction and completion of their prison sentences. This stance is aimed at people of all nationalities, not just non-CARICOM nationals. Nor is it “anti-regionalism”; regionalism was meant for the law-abiding, not the lawless.

In addition to regional efforts, there is an urgent need for greater international cooperation. The issue of US arms trafficking is part of a broader global problem of arms proliferation. The influence of the US arms lobby extends beyond domestic politics and affects neighboring regions such as the Caribbean. Greater cooperation is needed, not only within CARICOM, but also with broader alliances, including countries and organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS), UN agencies, and even European states with territories in the region that are affected by similar problems.

As President of the OAS Permanent Council, I introduced a resolution on “Guns, Gangs, and Violence” in December 2023, which recognized the interconnectedness of transnational organized crime. The resolution called for a cross-border, collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to address the root causes and consequences of criminal gang violence, particularly gun-related violence. While this resolution was a step in the right direction, the wheels of establishing effective enforcement mechanisms turn slowly. Unfortunately, addressing the problem of crime cannot afford to grind slowly. Lives and livelihoods are at stake, as is the right of people to live in freedom—freedom from fear of crime and the right to live in peace. That is why national action, such as that being taken by Prime Minister Browne, is imperative.

The economic consequences of rising crime are also serious. Tourism, a vital sector for many Caribbean countries, could be severely affected if the region continues to be seen as unsafe. This would not only affect national economies but also the livelihoods of millions of citizens who depend on tourism. In addition, high unemployment rates, particularly among young people, contribute to the increase in gang-related activities. Economic policies that create jobs and opportunities are vital to keep young people away from crime.

Prime Minister Browne has announced a series of measures designed to curb crime, stating: “The consequences of allowing these criminals to destabilise our country are too serious to contemplate. We cannot grow our economy or build a prosperous future for our people in an environment ravaged by crime and violence. Defeating these criminals is not just a priority – it is an absolute necessity for the continued security and prosperity of our country.”

Few in the Caribbean would disagree with him, especially since crime is no longer random or incidental; it is now an organized enterprise. Dismantling it requires strong, consensual action by governments, businesses, civil society, and all who want to live in peaceful, law-abiding societies.