United States pledges $340 million in new funding to the Caribbean

The United States has announced more than $340 million in new funding commitments to the Caribbean during the U.S.-Caribbean Dialogue in Washington. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau outlined a strategy based on three pillars: economic investment, combating the “narco-terrorist threat,” and addressing illegal immigration.

Specific allocations include $175.8 million for undersea cables in the Caribbean and Central America, and $61.5 million to launch the America Strategic Partnership for Independent Regional Healthcare Excellence (ASPIRE) to build regional healthcare workforce capacity.

Security-focused funding includes $37 million for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) to protect digital infrastructure and port security, $55.5 million to strengthen law enforcement against issues such as illegal fishing, and $11 million in Foreign Military Financing to bolster Caribbean security forces.