U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-VA., are championing a proposal to “codify and improve the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, which coordinates regional security cooperation, combats drug trafficking, strengthens the rule of law, and boosts disaster resilience.”
Warner introduced the “Caribbean Basin Security Authorization Act” with Rubio as the main co-sponsor.
Rubio’s office offered some of the reasons for the bill.
“The collapse of law and order in Haiti demonstrates the serious threat corruption and drug trafficking pose to countries in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Moscow and Beijing continue to expand their influence in the Western Hemisphere. Greater U.S. engagement with regional governments would increase security and stability for all,” Rubio’s office noted.
“This crucial bipartisan and bicameral legislation would enhance an interagency initiative to provide training and equipment to law enforcement agencies in countries in the Caribbean. At a time in which our region faces enormous challenges and hardships, it’s important the United States government assist our democratic allies to counter drug trafficking, prevent gang-related violence, and conduct criminal investigations,” said Rubio.
“Promoting stability and cooperation in the Caribbean strengthens our own national security, increases the resilience of our Caribbean partners, and counters the Chinese Communist Party’s growing influence in the Western Hemisphere. Making these resources available to help counter drug trafficking, corruption, and the destabilizing impacts of climate change is a commonsense step, and I urge my colleagues to join us in working to make the Western Hemisphere safer and more prosperous for all,” said Kaine.
The bill was sent to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. While the U.S. House passed the bill last year, so far there is no companion measure over in the U.S. House.
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