OSAC Country Security Report Eastern Caribbean
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OSAC Country Security Report Eastern Caribbean Last Updated: August 11, 2021 This report covers the Eastern Caribbean countries and territories of Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, served by the Barbados & Eastern Caribbean OSAC Chapter and the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown. OSAC Country Security Reports are available for these locations across the region: • OSAC Barbados Country Security Report • OSAC Grenada Country Security Report • OSAC's French Caribbean Country Security report covers Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barthélemy, and French St. Martin. • OSAC’s Dutch Caribbean Country Security Report includes Dutch Sint Maarten and Dutch territories outside of the Eastern Caribbean. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication indicates that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, and Montserrat. Reconsider travel to St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & The Grenadines due to COVID-19. Do not travel to the British Virgin Islands due to health and safety measures and COVID conditions. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Crime Environment Although these Eastern Caribbean countries do not have official ratings for crime from the U.S. Department of State, they should be considered similar to Bridgetown, which the U.S. Department of State has assessed as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Eastern Caribbean countries. The crime emergency line are as follows: • Anguilla: 911 • Antigua & Barbuda: (268) 462-0125/999 • British Virgin Islands: 999/911 • Dominica: 999 • Montserrat: 999 • Saint Kitts & Nevis: (869) 469-5391/911 • Saint Lucia: (758) 452-2854/999 • Saint Vincent & The Grenadines: (784) 457-1211/911 Review the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure. Crime: General Threat Regional police forces usually cooperate with U.S. counterparts. However, response time to law enforcement and security requests can at times be quite slow due to inadequate funding, lack of 1 equipment and training, and staffing shortages. Criminals do not specifically target U.S. travelers visiting the Eastern Caribbean. Tourism is a major contributor to regional economies. U.S. nationals residing in the Eastern Caribbean do not always enjoy the same level of police protection that regional governments provide to tourist areas. Crime: Areas of Concern There are no specific geographic areas of concern. Undertake travel outside of tourist areas with caution, especially at night, due to the prevalence of unmarked and unlighted roads. Be vigilant when using public telephones or ATMs, especially those located near roadsides or in secluded areas. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, and Taking Credit. Kidnapping Threat The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Eastern Caribbean. Kidnapping appears to be a relatively rare phenomenon in the Eastern Caribbean, consistently ranking near the bottom of reported crimes. Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips. Drug Crime Many tourists report being harassed by individuals attempting to sell illegal narcotics. In years past, there have been a few cases where U.S. tourists alleged that they were victims of a “date rape” drug (e.g. rohypnol or “roofies”, PCP, scopolamine), reporting that the drug was slipped into their drinks or food. Do not leave drinks or food unattended while at public venues. All Eastern Caribbean nations and territories have laws prohibiting the purchase, possession, transportation, sale, or use of illegal substances; but effective enforcement of these laws is hampered by lack of resources. While local drug dealers do get involved in shootings, this type of activity is localized and not directed at bystanders. Regional countries are primarily drug transshipment points from South America (e.g. Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Venezuela) to Europe, West Africa, the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Consult with the CIA World Factbook’s section on Illicit Drugs for country-specific information. Terrorism Environment Although these Eastern Caribbean countries do not have official ratings for terrorism threat, they should be considered similar to Bridgetown, which the U.S. Department of State has assessed as being a LOW- threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Eastern Caribbean countries. Terrorism: General Threat There is minimal risk from terrorism in the region. Though specific terrorism incident reporting from the Eastern Caribbean remains relatively low, the region has several vulnerabilities that terrorist elements 2 could exploit, such as porous borders, established narcotic and alien smuggling routes, and limited counter-terrorism capabilities. The exploitation of one of these vulnerabilities could have serious implications for U.S. organizations based in the Caribbean, and the Caribbean tourism trade in general. Notably, the threat of terrorism out of neighboring Trinidad & Tobago remains a regional concern, given the foiled ISIS terrorist attack during Carnival in 2018, as well as the number of Trinidadians who have traveled to Syria and Iraq in recent years to fight alongside ISIS. Their return as foreign fighters and the general freedom of travel between the countries of the Eastern Caribbean continues to pose a security challenge to regional stability. The U.S. Embassy continues to work with its regional counterparts to develop and implement counter-terrorism strategies and capabilities. Political Violence and Civil Unrest Environment Although these Eastern Caribbean countries do not have official ratings for political violence and civil unrest, they should be considered similar to Bridgetown, which the U.S. Department of State has assessed as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Elections/Political Stability The islands of the Eastern Caribbean are peaceful and have experienced little political violence or revolution. The political climates are stable, with little threat of political violence. Labor riots in the 1930s were the last major event to transcend the entire region. Protest & Demonstration Activity While violent public protests and demonstrations are rare in the Eastern Caribbean, there were two bouts of civil unrest at the end of 2019. Starting in November, political violence flared in Dominica, reaching a point where roadblocks affecting the airport and port canceled flights and cruise ship visits; the State Department raised its Travel Advisory Level for Dominica at that time to Level 2. And in December, there was a short period of civil unrest in (French) Saint Martin. During this period, protest activity and roadblocks (as a result of water quality issues and the implementation of post-2017 hurricane rebuilding efforts) affected tourists in Saint Martin as well as adjacent (Dutch) Sint Maarten. Outside of this activity, very little civil unrest occurs throughout the islands. Most civil unrest is connected to labor issues, which are usually settled by union and government intervention. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest. Law Enforcement Concerns: Security Agencies Antigua & Barbuda: Security forces consist of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, the prison guard service, immigration officers, airport and port security personnel, the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, and the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy. National security, including police and prison guards, falls under the supervision of the attorney general, who is also the minister of legal affairs, public safety, and labor. Immigration falls under the minister of foreign affairs, international trade, and immigration. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for money-laundering policy. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. There have been no reports that members of the security forces committed abuses. Dominica: The Ministry of Justice, Immigration, and National Security oversees the police, the country’s only security force. The Financial Intelligence Unit reports to the Ministry of Legal Affairs; some of its officers have arrest authority. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. There were no reports of significant abuses by the security forces. 3 St. Kitts & Nevis: The security forces consist of a police force, which includes the paramilitary Special Services Unit, a drug unit, the Special Victims Unit, the Office of Professional Standards, and a white-collar crimes unit. These forces are responsible for internal security, including migration and border enforcement. In addition, there is a coast guard and a small defense force. The military and police report to the Ministry of National Security, which is under the prime minister’s jurisdiction. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces.