CARICOM reaffirms commitment to regional peace and fight against narcotrafficking

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the region as a Zone of Peace and intensifying efforts to combat narcotrafficking and the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons.

The statement comes amid heightened United States military activity in the southern Caribbean. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump disclosed that he had authorised the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, fuelling speculation in Caracas that Washington is seeking to oust President Nicolás Maduro.

The United States has accused Maduro of involvement in the narcotics trade — a claim he has denied. Maduro has condemned recent US naval strikes as a pretext for regime change, calling them violations of sovereignty and international law. The US military said it was holding two survivors on a Navy ship after a strike on a suspected Caribbean drug vessel killed two others. Thursday’s strike was the latest in a campaign Trump has described as targeting a “narcoterrorist” threat linked to Venezuela.

In their statement, CARICOM Heads of Government — with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago, which reserved its position — underscored the importance of dialogue and engagement in resolving disputes peacefully.

They reiterated that challenges such as narcotrafficking and arms smuggling should be addressed through international cooperation and in accordance with international law.

The leaders also reaffirmed their “unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region and the safety and livelihoods of their people,” the statement said.