Crime, homicides, and violence continue to destabilize communities here and across the Caribbean.
Another young man was gunned down in Curaçao, sparking widespread unrest. While most Caribbean nations have strict gun control laws that make legal firearm ownership difficult, illegal weapons remain the driving force behind gang violence and crime. The region’s proximity to the US -by far the largest source of illicit firearms- makes crime a persistent challenge. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), there are over half a million firearms in Haiti, 73% of which have been illegally trafficked from the US.
Recently, Mexico took a bold step by filing a lawsuit against seven firearms manufacturers, arguing that these companies played a role in fueling Mexico’s brutal drug war. With approximately 30,000 firearm-related murders annually and an estimated 90% of illegal guns originating from the US, the case underscores the global impact of US gun trafficking. The case is now set to go before the US Supreme Court*.
Though violent crime primarily affects the local population, its impact on tourism, our main economic pillar, cannot be ignored. Recently, growing attention has been given to the broader public health consequences of gun violence, highlighting its far-reaching effects beyond crime statistics. It requires multifaceted solutions.
Despite what politicians tell you on the campaign trail these days, this is not a challenge any nation can tackle alone, let alone solve in 100 days. Addressing gun violence in our country requires regional cooperation, collaboration, and strong partnerships.
The Caribbean Policy Consortium, of which I am a member, has extensively analyzed this issue and is organizing a webinar titled The Caribbean Crime Conundrum Wednesday, 19 February at 11:00 AM (local time). If you are interested or would like more information, please let me know.
Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia & Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He’s from Curaçao and has a MBA from the University of Iowa. (USA).
