Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, Chairmanship of the Regional Security System (RSS) Council of Ministers. Photo: Internet Source

RSS Security chiefs from the eight regional member states and partner agencies, meeting in Saint Lucia, October 20-21, for discussions on regional security issues. The meeting is opportune, faced with major security challenges and US reports, primarily, 2025 INCSR: Volume 2 – Money Laundering St Lucia and, US puts Barbados and St Lucia on 2025 Trafficking in Persons Tier 2 Watch List; Cuba and Venezuela Tier 3, Haiti designated a special case.

Other matters of concern surround the Caribbean region, retaining its status as a zone of peace, while US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) scheduled meetings with Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada, October 14-15, with leaders in both nations, including Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne and Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell, are noteworthy.

“Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada are vital contributors to the collective efforts of like-minded nations to strengthen security in the Eastern Caribbean. US Southern Command remains committed to continuing its longstanding cooperation with both nations,” said US Embassy Barbados.

On October 9, the government of Grenada said it is “carefully assessing and reviewing the request” by the government of the United States of America for the “temporary installation of radar equipment and associated technical personnel at the Maurice Bishop International Airport.”

There is an ongoing territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo region. This has led to increased tensions. Both nations have large oil reserves and competing (USA and China) interests, with a view to influencing oil exploration and global markets.

In Venezuela, the Trump administration has authorised an impressive collection of US Troops and authorised the CIA to conduct covert action in Venezuela, according to US officials.

President Nicolás Maduro has called for a de-escalation of US military action against Venezuela. He has also highlighted Venezuela’s role in drug trafficking interdiction, emphasising the “comparatively small amount of narcotics that transit through his country, ” Maduro added. “I tell president Donald Trump once again that the attempt to create a false case regarding drug trafficking is a mistake.”

Meanwhile, the US military engages drug cartel boats, including a mini-submarine said to be trafficking drugs, while Venezuela prepares for the worst-case scenario.