Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act

This bill sets up and funds a U.S.–Caribbean security program to help make communities safer, cut gang and drug crime, and strengthen fair and effective justice systems. It backs police training, better airport and seaport checks, and efforts to stop gangs from recruiting teens. It also supports job training and schooling for at-risk youth, improves juvenile justice so kids aren’t kept with adults, and boosts work to fight corruption and cybercrime . The program also helps countries prepare for hurricanes and other disasters by improving rapid response, training first responders, and getting critical services and ports back online faster. It includes steps to counter the influence of authoritarian regimes, like China and Russia, and to clearly explain the benefits of U.S. help to local communities.

Agencies must deliver a detailed plan with goals within 180 days, track progress with clear benchmarks, and report results every year. The plan must coordinate roles across U.S. agencies and improve transparency. The bill authorizes $88 million per year for 2025–2029 for this work .

• Who is affected: People in Caribbean countries, especially at-risk youth, local police and justice systems, and U.S. agencies working in the region.
• What changes: More security cooperation, anti-gang and anti-drug efforts, youth programs, disaster readiness, anti-corruption work, and messaging about U.S. assistance; plus yearly public progress updates .
• When: Plan due within 180 days; annual updates after that; funding runs 2025–2029.