The security context of the Caribbean-Canada relationship is framed by the Caribbean’s geography (a collection of islands lying between large population areas of North, Central and South America), the Caribbean’s longstanding economic and people-to people-links with these other regions, and the fiscal/economic fragility of Caribbean governments. Each of these factors present challenges for both Canada and the Caribbean from a security perspective.
The key security issues that exist include Transnational Crime that sees the Caribbean as a conduit for a variety of illegal activity; Haiti’s ongoing fight against organized gangs; the impact that Natural Disasters can have on fragile Caribbean States; the day to day issues around Citizen Security and access to Justice; the risk of several Border Disputes in the region creating instability and the risks to Tourists and other visitors.
As part of their longstanding partnership, Canada and the Caribbean have been collaborating on security matters for some time. Using the links above you can explore some of these issues in more detail.
And the display below links to the variety of security-related stories that the CCI blog has been posting.
CCI Blog Posts on Security Issues
The Caribbean is vulnerable to transnational crime
Illegal drugs and narcotics are frequently transshipped from South America via Caribbean ports destined for North America and Europe. Human trafficking moves vulnerable people in the same direction. At the same time the Caribbean, particularly Haiti, has seen itself become a large market for illegal arms that flow from the United States. All of this criminal activity is directed by illegal gangs which do not hesitate to resort to violence to expand and protect their activities.
The large movement of people between the Caribbean and, in particular North America (tourism, family visitation, students and temporary workers) brings positive economic activity. But it can also bring security challenges and create issues for both sides. In the time it takes to fly from the Caribbean to Toronto, illegal activity in the Caribbean can easily become a Canadian security problem.
For further insight into some of these issues, please see the video of our Policy Panel discussion… Challenged Sovereignty…The Impact of Drugs, Crime, Terrorism and Cyber Threats in the Caribbean
For more information see Insight Crime’s Criminal Threats to the Caribbean in 2025 Final IC.pdf.
Canada-Caribbean collaboration against transnational crime
Canada is one of Caribbean’s longstanding partners in trying to limit the capacity of transnational criminal activity in the region.
From a military perspective, Operation CARIBBE is Canada’s contribution to the U.S.-led multinational Operation MARTILLO, aimed at disrupting illicit trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific. Since 2006, the Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force have deployed ships and CP-140 Aurora aircraft to support surveillance and interdiction efforts. Over the past 10 years, Canadian assets helped seize or disrupt over 66 metric tonnes of cocaine and nearly 4 tonnes of marijuana.
In addition to military operations, RCMP liaison officers are strategically posted to Canadian embassies across the Caribbean to support international policing and security cooperation. According to the RCMP, officers are stationed in:
- Kingston, Jamaica: A key location for regional coordination, especially given Jamaica’s role in hosting Canadian-supported military and justice training centres.
- Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: A hub for regional security efforts and collaboration with CARICOM member states.
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Supports policing partnerships and intelligence exchange in the northern Caribbean.
These officers act as vital links between Canadian law enforcement and their Caribbean counterparts. Their roles include facilitating major investigations, sharing criminal intelligence, supporting Canadian missions abroad, and contributing to training and capacity-building initiatives
The deteriorating security situation in Haiti, as well as national security issues elsewhere in the region has implications for both the Caribbean and Canada.
Haiti’s porous borders and fractured security institutions risk enabling transnational organized crime—ranging from arms trafficking to drug smuggling—that can spill into the wider Caribbean and North America.
Canada’s Haitian diaspora already numbers around 180,000, highlighting both the community’s ties and potential pressure points for family reunification and support programs.
A sizeable Haitian-Canadian population looks to Ottawa for both moral and practical support. Rising insecurity in Haiti can intensify community advocacy for family reunification, emergency relief and targeted development projects—shaping Canada’s immigration policies and political discourse around international aid.
With escalating gang violence and political instability, more Haitians may seek refuge in Canada. This could lead to an uptick in asylum claims and place additional demands on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s settlement services.
Haiti’s porous borders and weakened law enforcement have turned the country into a hub for drug and arms trafficking. Gang networks exploit this vacuum to smuggle narcotics and weapons across the Caribbean, driving up crime rates and undermining public safety in neighboring islands.
Escalating violence and forced evictions by armed groups have triggered refugee flows into nearby states like the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the Bahamas. This influx puts pressure on reception systems, social services and local economies that were already stretched thin.
Canada’s support to Haiti
Canada has been a steadfast partner to Haiti, offering extensive support across security, humanitarian, and governance sectors. Since 2022, Canada has committed over $400 million in international assistance to Haiti. In February 2024, it pledged $123 million, including $80.5 million to back the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission led by Kenya, aimed at strengthening the Haitian National Police (HNP). Additional funding supports key initiatives: procurement of protective gear and vehicles for the HNP, addressing gang-related sexual and gender-based violence, bolstering border security, and promoting justice and anti-corruption efforts2.
Canada emphasizes Haitian-led solutions, working closely with international partners to restore peace and stability. It has consistently contributed personnel to UN peacekeeping missions and maintains strong diplomatic ties since 1954. The Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP, and correctional officers have played roles in stabilization efforts over the past three decades.
Beyond security, Canada supports democratic governance, human rights, and sustainable development. Its approach balances immediate crisis response with long-term institution-building. In times of emergency, Canada also provides consular assistance to Haitians and Canadians affected by unrest.
This multifaceted support reflects Canada’s commitment to helping Haiti navigate its complex challenges while respecting its sovereignty and promoting regional stability.
For further insight into some of the issues in Haiti please see the video of our Policy Panel discussion… Haiti: Whats’s next in 2024- February 7, 2024
Canada-Caribbean military collaboration
Canada has been a longstanding partner in enhancing military capacity across the Caribbean, with a particular focus on Jamaica. See Canada-Jamaica Defence Relations – Canada.ca for an overview.
Through the Military Training and Cooperation Program (MTCP), Canada has supported the development of multiple Centres of Excellence in Jamaica, including the Caribbean Military Aviation School, Technical Training Institute, and the Caribbean Counter-Terrorism Training Centre. These facilities offer specialized instruction in aviation, engineering, and tactical operations, and have trained personnel from across the region.
A key infrastructure milestone was the establishment of the Caribbean Special Tactics Centre (CSTC) in Moneague, Jamaica, funded by Global Affairs Canada. This state-of-the-art facility provides advanced training in special operations and counter-terrorism, serving as a regional hub for military proficiency.
Canada also maintains an Operational Support Hub in Kingston, which facilitates rapid deployment and logistics for regional missions.
Most recently, under Operation HELIOS, Canadian Armed Forces trained over 300 CARICOM troops—including personnel from Jamaica, Belize, and the Bahamas—for deployment to Haiti as part of a UN-authorized peacekeeping mission5. Training included peacekeeping skills, combat first aid, and protection of civilians.
Exercise Tropical Dagger, part of Operation ACKEE, showcases Canada’s commitment to regional capacity building. Led by Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM), this annual exercise trains Caribbean partners—especially Jamaica—in counter-crime and counter-terrorism tactics. Over time, Jamaica has taken a leadership role, mentoring other nations like Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Guyana.
These efforts reflect Canada’s commitment to regional security, capacity building, and its longstanding partnership with Caribbean nations.
Several Border Disputes in the Caribbean have the potential to create instability
The Guyana–Venezuela dispute centers on the oil-rich Essequibo region, with Venezuela rejecting the 1899 arbitral award and escalating tensions despite ICJ involvement. Venezuela has recently taken a number of provocative measures, to assert its claim. This dispute has the highest risk of becoming a security problem. Canada has explicitly supported Guyana’s decision to resolve its border controversy with Venezuela through the ICJ.
Guyana–Suriname dispute centres on the Tigri Area, also known as the New River Triangle, a resource-rich region claimed by both nations. Tensions reignited in 2024 when Guyana announced infrastructure projects in the area, prompting Suriname to summon Guyana’s ambassador. Despite a 1970 agreement aimed at peaceful resolution, Suriname argues Guyana’s actions violate that accord. Canada has not made any public statements specifically addressing this border dispute.
The Belize-Guatemala dispute sees Guatemala claiming parts of Belize, citing colonial-era boundaries and access to the Caribbean Sea. Belize maintains that Guatemala never occupied the territory and asserts sovereignty based on historical British governance. In 2019, both nations agreed to submit the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). While Canada has not issued direct public statements on this dispute, it supports peaceful resolution through international legal mechanisms.
Natural disasters can exacerbate security issues for already “fragile” Caribbean States
The propensity of the region to experience natural disasters (hurricanes; earthquakes can cause immediate public safety issues, but also longer term stress on the public finances of Caribbean states, leaving them more exposed and susceptible to
Increasing storm intensity and seismic disturbances—exacerbated by climate change and sea-level rise—pose long-term security challenges. Repeated shocks can erode state legitimacy, incentivize irregular migration, and fuel non-state actor influence in ungoverned spaces. Embedding disaster risk reduction in national security strategies is critical to sustainable stability.
Hurricanes and earthquakes routinely damage ports, airports, power grids, and communication networks, degrading the capacity of security forces to coordinate relief and maintain order
Rapid-onset disasters displace large populations, overwhelm shelters, and strain social services. Mass displacement increases competition for scarce resources, heightening tensions that can spark civil unrest or opportunistic violence
Natural disasters create environments ripe for looting, smuggling, and black-market activities. Damaged infrastructure and disrupted patrol patterns limit law enforcement presence, allowing criminal networks to exploit checkpoints and relief corridors
Quakes and storms drive both internal displacement and cross-border movements, complicating immigration controls and customs enforcement. Sudden influxes at ports of entry can overwhelm processing capacities, creating gaps that traffickers may exploit.
For further information see the following policy brief
Canada-Caribbean collaboration on natural disaster resilience
Canada’s support to the Caribbean in the face of natural disasters goes far beyond emergency aid, focusing on long-term resilience, capacity-building, and regional coordination. Through the Canada-Caribbean Resilience Facility, Canada has invested $20 million to help 9 Caribbean countries strengthen disaster preparedness and recovery systems. This includes technical assistance in public financial management, engineering, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Canada also partners with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to enhance regional response mechanisms. A 2024 Memorandum of Understanding enables the Canadian Armed Forces to deploy logistics and personnel rapidly when disasters strike. Additionally, Canada supports the Regional Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence in Barbados, through its partnership with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). This hub:
- Facilitates emergency assistance delivery across the Eastern Caribbean
- Supports disaster response coordination and tactical mobility
- Was strengthened by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2024
Innovative projects like AI-based disaster mapping in Dominica and Jamaica, funded by Natural Resources Canada, help monitor hazards and improve early warning systems. Canada also backs gender-responsive recovery planning through the EnGenDER project, ensuring vulnerable populations are included in rebuilding efforts.
Citizen/Individual Security and Justice
Crime and violence hinder sustainable development and economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- The region’s homicide rate is three times higher than the world average at 18 vs. 5.6 per 100,000 inhabitants (UNODC, 2023).
- 50% of all homicides in the Americas are connected to organized crime, compared to 24% globally (UNODC, 2023).
This level of criminal violence affects the lives of the region’s inhabitants, as well as its economy and institutions:
- It impacts people’s well-being and behaviors: 30% of households have suffered a crime in the past year, and 51% of the population reports not feeling safe, compared to 20% globally (World Values Survey, 2017–2022).
- It increases the cost of doing business: one in four companies see crime as a serious or very serious constraint to doing business (World Bank, 2018).
- It undermines the rule of law, erodes trust in institutions and costs the region 3.5% of GDP annually, taking resources away from pressing needs like education and health (IDB, 2023).
For further information see IDB | Citizen Security in Latin America and the Caribbean
The Dialogue organization has a program studying Citizen Security in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Caribbean justice systems face a range of structural, social and procedural challenges that can impact, fairness, efficiency and public trust. These include:
- Backlog of cases: Courts often face significant delays, especially in criminal proceedings, due to understaffing and limited resources.
- Overuse of pre-trial detention: Many individuals are held for extended periods without conviction, undermining the presumption of innocence.
- Limited legal aid: Access to affordable legal representation is uneven, especially in rural or economically disadvantaged areas.
At the same time, a number of important systemic inefficiencies limit progress at reform.
- Outdated infrastructure: Many courts lack modern technology, slowing down case processing and record management.
- Shortage of trained personnel: Judges, prosecutors, and support staff are often stretched thin, affecting the quality and speed of justice delivery.
Canada-Caribbean collaboration re: Justice
Canada has played a pivotal role in strengthening justice systems across the Caribbean through targeted development assistance. One of its earliest flagship initiatives was the Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST) Programme in Jamaica, launched following a 2006 assessment by the Canadian Department of Justice. This program aimed to modernize Jamaica’s justice sector by addressing institutional barriers, improving legal frameworks, and enhancing public access to justice.
As a follow-on to the JUST program in Jamaica, Canada announced funding for the Social Justice (So-JUST) project. This project will strengthen and promote a rights-based and gender-sensitive justice system that achieves equitable outcomes for all Jamaicans. It will support a human rights and a gender-responsive approach and fostering improved changes within the structures of the Ministry of Justice, the Courts, and other related agencies. There will be a specific focus on enhancing the rights and access to justice for women, girls, people with disabilities and residents of rural and vulnerable communities. For more information on So-JUST see Social Justice (SO JUST) Project Launch | Ministry of Justice
Building on the success of JUST, Canada expanded its support regionally through two complementary programs: JURIST and IMPACT Justice. Funded by Global Affairs Canada, these initiatives were designed to improve judicial responsiveness and access to justice across 14 CARICOM member states. JURIST, implemented by the Caribbean Court of Justice, focused on gender-responsive court services and judicial capacity. IMPACT Justice, led by the University of the West Indies, emphasized legal education, model legislation, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Together, these programs have contributed to more inclusive, transparent, and efficient justice systems in the Caribbean. Canada’s sustained engagement reflects its commitment to democratic governance, human rights, and regional stability. The evolution from country-specific support in Jamaica to broader CARICOM-wide programming underscores Canada’s strategic approach to justice reform in the region.
Security issues related to tourists and other visitors
Tourism
Over 3 million Canadians visit the Caribbean each year, making it Canada’s biggest outbound travel market. This large flow can create consular challenges for Canada. Canada provides travel advice and advisories to provide its citizens with information before travel. These focus on incidents of crime, power grid failures and goods shortages. They often create bilateral issues when the Caribbean nation in questions disagrees with the assessment.
Canada regularly updates travel information for Canadians, which details health and safety issues and advice that travellers should be aware of. See Canadian Travel Advice
Canadian and Caribbean governments provide consular services to citizens when they experience difficulties such as lost/stolen documentation, crime, health issues.
When events place Canadian nationals in difficulty, or when security deteriorates, the Canadian government may be required to surge consular staff, provide medical evacutation or even airlifts. A notable example occurred in September 2017, when Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated several Caribbean nations. Canada responded by deploying elements of the Canadian Armed Forces under Operation RENAISSANCE, in coordination with Global Affairs Canada, to assist with humanitarian relief and evacuations
Visitors to Canada
Based on recent data from Statistics Canada, approximately 1.2 million visitors from the Caribbean entered Canada in 2024, representing countries in the Americas excluding the United States. This includes tourists, business travelers, and individuals visiting family or attending events. Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic consistently rank among the leading Caribbean nations sending visitors to Canada. Most visits are for tourism, family reunification, and cultural events, with a growing number of Caribbean nationals attending conferences and academic programs.
While the vast majority of visitors to Canada enter and stay in a manner consistent with Canadian law, certain Caribbean citizens who overstay visas, engage in serious criminal activity or misrepresent their immigration status may receive a removal order. In 2024, about 11% of deportations were due to visa overstays. Those convicted of crimes—especially serious offenses—are also subject to deportation, even if they are permanent residents. Approximately 7% of deportees last year had criminal records.
Canada has increased deportations recently, citing a surge in asylum claims and a need to maintain immigration system integrity. Deportees are entitled to legal representation and may appeal decisions through the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). However, once appeals are exhausted, removal is mandatory.
Based on the most recent data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Canada deported approximately 7,300 individuals between January and November 2024. While the CBSA does not publicly break down removals by specific countries or regions such as the Caribbean, we can estimate removals to the Caribbean based on historical trends and regional proportions.
Caribbean nations—particularly Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic—have consistently appeared among the top 20 countries of removal. If we conservatively estimate that 5–10% of total annual removals involve Caribbean nationals, that would suggest roughly 365 to 730 deportations to the Caribbean in 2024.
This estimate includes individuals removed for:
- Rejected refugee claims (about 79% of total removals)
- Visa overstays or non-compliance (11%)
- Criminal convictions (7%)
Deportations can have impacts on both the deporting and receiving countries as shown below.
