Caricom ratifies National Security, Law Enforcement Council

MINISTER of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Amery Browne submitted the country’s agreement to a new Caricom security protocol, during the 47th regular meeting of Caricom Heads of Government, in St George’s, Grenada, on July 30.

The protocol ratification sees Caricom incorporate a Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE).

In 2005, Caricom recognised the increasing threats to regional security and added "security" as its fourth pillar.

CONSLE was established in 2006 to address these concerns.

The Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (Impacs) was created to enact CONSLE's policies. Caricom Impacs’ headquarters are located in Trinidad and Tobago.

In 2016, the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas was updated to include CONSLE as an official part of Caricom, and TT signed the protocol.

TT has now played its part in bringing this protocol into force by submitting the instrument of ratification.

As Caricom’s lead nation for security, TT is crucial in guiding regional security policies through CONSLE and ensuring their implementation through Impacs.

Elizabeth Solomon, Caricom assistant secretary-general for foreign and community relations, and Lisa Shoman, general counsel of the Caricom secretariat.