Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE), Dr. Horace Chang, says the illicit trafficking of illegal firearms is a significant challenge for the region.
Chang, who is also Jamaica’s National Security Minister, told the Committee meeting on Hemispheric Security at the Organization of American States (OAS) on Thursday that “the Caribbean accounts for approximately 23 per cent of all recorded homicides, with an average homicide rate of 15.1 per 100,000 people, which is nearly three times the world average.
“The proliferation and increased access to illegal firearms account for the high level of armed violence and insecurity within our regions, Chang said, pointing out that “the firearm is the weapon of choice for committing homicides and other acts of crime and violence.
“In this regard, I have to underscore the need for greater collaboration and partnership to combat the scourge of the illicit trafficking of firearms.
“This is directly linked to the steps being taken by IMPACS (the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security) to strengthen the capacity of member states in the region to successfully detect and prevent these illegal firearms from entering our shores,” Chang said, adding “the region must continue to commit to regional mechanisms that support firearm ballistics gathering and information sharing”.
Regarding the illegal drug trade, Chang said the illicit trafficking in drugs “through our regions operates in tandem with mechanisms supporting the legal trade.
“The UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) reports that the number of new psychoactive substances emerging on illicit drug markets has increased six-fold in the past decade and reached a record high of over 1,000 unique substances in 2020.
“Specifically, annual global seizures of amphetamine-type stimulants increased by 64 per cent in 2019, while opioid use disorder deaths have gone up by 71 per cent over the past decade. To cauterise the challenges identified facing our regions, there is an urgent need to implement comprehensive coordinated responses to drug demand and illicit drug trafficking,” the CONSLE chairman said.
He said in the area of maritime security, the challenges faced have underscored the need to leverage technology, including through the use of satellite imagery, radar and surveillance systems, and other maritime domain awareness infrastructure.
“We therefore have to identify opportunities to re-engage our strategic partners to strengthen the existing maritime framework and build on the work of CARICOM IMPACS, which provides maritime data on high risk vessels on a daily basis to several countries in the region.
“Mr. Chairman, the commitment to enhancing maritime security, especially with countries in CARICOM having landmasses one-tenth of their Exclusive Economic Zones, is of paramount importance.”
Source-CMC
