Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano traveled to Nassau, The Bahamas on Nov. 9-10, to deliver the keynote address at the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) Dialogue and meet with Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham to underscore the Obama administration’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and facilitating trade and tourism.
“The United States and The Bahamas share a strong relationship built on our common interests in bolstering security, strengthening democracy and promoting trade and cultural exchange,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This dialogue is an opportunity for us to recommit to the continued cooperation that is necessary to address transnational threats that impact our nations.”
During her remarks, Secretary Napolitano reiterated the administration’s dedication to the security of the Caribbean Basin and the main goals of the CBSI—reducing illicit trafficking, increasing public safety and security, and promoting social justice.
DHS works with Caribbean nations through the World Customs Organization on Program Global Shield, an initiative to protect the global supply chain by preventing the illegal theft or diversion of precursor chemicals that are often exploited to make improvised explosive devices. Currently, more than 60 countries participate in Program Global Shield, sharing information regarding the export of 14 precursor chemicals.
Additionally, DHS is continuing to enhance border security in the region through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), conducting border security training with Caribbean nations to increase their capacity to secure their borders. CBP operates the Container Security Initiative in a number of Caribbean countries, including The Bahamas, to prescreen U.S.-bound shipping containers to detect and interdict dangerous cargo including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials.
The U.S. Coast Guard also provides personnel and assets to increase surveillance and information sharing, conducts interdiction operations in international waters, and provides Caribbean maritime services with training in a wide range of maritime security, law enforcement, and safety missions.
For more information, please visit www.dhs.gov.
