Global partners rally behind RSS to confront threats  

In a renewed show of global backing for Caribbean security, international partners have committed fresh support and resources to the Barbados-based Regional Security System (RSS) to confront mounting cross-border threats in the region, Barbados TODAY can reveal.

The pledges are contained in a document detailing the outcomes of the recent RSS Council of Ministers’ Meeting held in Saint Lucia, outlining the conference’s decisions.

The talks, which Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams described as “very productive”, resulted in global partners agreeing on key areas of collaboration and cooperation with the RSS.  

One key point requires member states to take coordinated action to address existing threats, focusing on collaboration, cooperation and information sharing.  

 Another centres on a third-country Refugee/Deportee Relocation Protocol under bilateral US-member state agreements, requiring full information exchange.  

 “Full details of the questions and answers surrounding the matter were shared with the council by the US Chargé d’Affaires,” the document, obtained by Barbados TODAY, disclosed.  

A decision was also taken to review the legislative frameworks of regional states to enable anti-gang laws and counter transnational organised crime. “A review of legislation in member states is to be done,” it said.  

 The CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) also informed the meeting of the gang database developed by the Civil Gang Injunctions Unit (CGIU) and requested member states to share data for its completion.  

 St Vincent and the Grenadines reminded the council of the significant unintended impacts arising from kinetic strikes on vessels within the region’s maritime domain.  

The executive director of the RSS presented his report to the meeting, announcing that the ratification process for the Treaty of San José has been completed by RSS headquarters. He also confirmed that upgrades to Maritime Operations Centres across member states will proceed under a Global Affairs Canada project, and that a provision allows the repurposing of money from seized assets to support crime-fighting efforts.  

 The RSS outlined proposed action plans for 2026, including strengthening data collection and sharing; formalising partnership with CARILEC (the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation) through the signing of an MOU in May; formalising partnerships with Belize and the British Virgin Islands to strengthen regional capabilities in financial investigations and asset recovery; and improving collaboration with European Union states for criminal investigations via partnership with the European Judicial Network.  

 The RSS will also apply for observer status on the Budapest Cybercrime Convention Committee.  

Given the differing and evolving legalisation of cannabis use, the Council of Ministers agreed that there will be zero tolerance of drug use among law enforcement officers. A paper will be reviewed by police and military leaders for approval at their level.