Sec. 2. Authorization of appropriations for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
656 words·~3 min read·
/bill/117/hr/4133/eh/section-2A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
There is authorized to be appropriated $74,800,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to carry out the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative to achieve the purposes described in subsection (b). The purposes described in this subsection are the following: To promote citizen safety, security, and the rule of law in the Caribbean through increased strategic engagement with the governments of beneficiary countries and with elements of local civil society, including the private sector, in such countries.
To carry out the promotion of such safety, security, and the rule of law through efforts including the following: Capacity building for law enforcement and military units, including professionalization, anti-corruption and human rights training, vetting, and community-based policing. Maritime and aerial security cooperation, including assistance to strengthen Caribbean maritime and aerial interdiction operations capability and the provision of support systems and equipment, training, and maintenance.
Border and port security cooperation, including support to strengthen capacity for screening and to intercept narcotics, weapons, bulk cash, and other contraband at airports and seaports. Support for justice sector reform and strengthening of the rule of law, including capacity building for prosecutors, judges, and other justice officials, and support to increase the efficacy of criminal courts. Cybersecurity and cybercrime cooperation, including capacity-building and support for cybersecurity systems.
Countering transnational criminal organizations and local gang activity, including capacity-building, equipment, and support for operations targeting the finances and illegal activities of transnational criminal networks and local gangs such as their recruitment of at-risk youth, and the provision of assistance to populations vulnerable to being victims of extortion and crime by criminal networks. Strengthening special prosecutorial offices and providing technical assistance to combat corruption, money laundering, financial crimes, extortion, and human rights crimes, and conduct asset forfeitures and criminal analysis.
Strengthening the ability of the security sector to respond to and become more resilient in the face of natural disasters, including by carrying out training exercises to ensure critical infrastructure and ports are able to come back online rapidly following disasters and providing preparedness training to police and first responders. Supporting training for civilian police and appropriate security services in criminal investigations, best practices for citizen security, and the protection of human rights.
Improving community and law enforcement cooperation to improve effectiveness and professionalism of police and increase mutual trust. Increasing economic opportunities for at-risk youth and vulnerable populations, including workforce development training and remedial education programs for at-risk youth. Improving juvenile justice sectors through regulatory reforms, separating youth from traditional prison systems, and improving support and services in juvenile detention centers.
To prioritize efforts to combat corruption and include anti-corruption components to programs, including by— strengthening national justice systems and attorneys general and supporting independent media and investigative reporting; supporting multilateral anti-corruption mechanisms; and encouraging cooperative agreements between the Department of State, other relevant Federal departments and agencies, and the attorneys general of relevant countries to fight corruption in the Caribbean.
To promote the rule of law in the Caribbean and counter malign influence from authoritarian regimes, including China and Russia, by: Monitoring security assistance from authoritarian regimes and taking steps necessary to ensure that this assistance does not undermine or jeopardize U.S. security assistance. Evaluating and, as appropriate, restricting United States involvement in investment and infrastructure projects financed by authoritarian regimes that might obstruct or otherwise impact United States security assistance to beneficiary countries.
Monitoring and restricting equipment and support from high risk vendors for telecommunications infrastructure in beneficiary countries. Countering disinformation by promoting transparency and accountability from beneficiary countries. Eliminating corruption linked to investment and infrastructure facilitated by authoritarian regimes through support for investment screening, competitive tendering and bidding processes, the implementation of investment law, and contractual transparency.
To promote strategic engagement with the governments of beneficiary countries through effective branding and messaging of United States assistance and security cooperation, including by developing a public diplomacy strategy for educating citizens of beneficiary countries about United States assistance and security cooperation programs and benefits.