Five years after pledging to stem the illegal flow of firearms within and throughout the region, Caribbean States and regional and international partners met in Trinidad and Tobago to assess progress achieved and agree on priorities for the next five years.
High-level representatives from the 15 CARICOM States and the Dominican Republic convened in Trinidad and Tobago from 11 to 12 November 2025 for the Fifth Annual Meeting of States of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, a decade-long strategy to curb the illicit proliferation of firearms and ammunition by 2030. The meeting was attended by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Joanna Kazana; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Jones, Executive Director of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime & Security (IMPACS); The Honourable Roger Alexander, Minister of Homeland Security and high-level government representatives of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as members of the international community and the diplomatic corps accredited to Trinidad and Tobago.
The 2025 Annual Meeting of States, organized by Roadmap co-custodians, CARICOM IMPACS, and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and with funding from Canada, marked a significant milestone: the midpoint of the Roadmap’s implementation period. The meeting thus served as an inflection point for assessing progress, discussing persistent challenges, and reviewing recommendations emerging from the Mid-Term Review, which were presented at the meeting.
On 11 November, national focal points and monitoring and evaluation experts met to review technical progress and share experiences in implementing and reporting on the Roadmap. On 12 November, a high-level ministerial segment took place, dedicated to reviewing the findings and recommendations of the Mid-Term Review of the Roadmap, reaffirming political commitment, and underscoring the urgency of accelerating implementation efforts.
Mid-Term Review: A Region at a Crossroads
Illicit firearms and ammunition continue to drive high levels of homicides and crime across many Caribbean countries, posing significant threats to public safety and human security. The resulting violence also hinders wider socioeconomic development, negatively affects public health systems, discourages investment, and weakens business growth.
Midway through the Roadmap’s implementation, a Mid-Term Review highlighted the significant progress. Thirteen States have developed National Action Plans (NAPs) to combat illicit firearms trafficking, aligning the Roadmap’s strategic priorities with their national contexts, reflecting strong national-level commitment. The Mid-Term Review, which was presented at the Meeting of States, highlighted improvements in firearm legislation, enhanced law enforcement capacity, and stronger regional intelligence coordination.
However, the Review also pointed to persistent and uneven challenges. While some countries have made notable strides, others continue to experience rising levels of armed violence. Limited funding, political transitions, and inconsistent data reporting have hindered implementation efforts. Moreover, the Roadmap must strengthen its integration with broader national and regional security and violence prevention strategies. It should also promote more inclusive participation, particularly of women, youth and community leaders, with a view to addressing armed violence in a holistic and sustainable manner, beyond the narrow lens of security.
In an effort to consolidate and widely showcase the progress of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, UNLIREC has developed a virtual gallery featuring interactive rooms that highlight the joint work undertaken by States and implementing partners, visualizing five years of progress and implementation.
Across the Caribbean, gun violence remains one of the region’s most persistent public-safety challenges. Yet, despite these disparities, the overall trajectory is encouraging. Most countries are moving in the right direction, having demonstrated commitment and progress in implementing the Roadmap over the past five years. However, levels of gun violence remain unacceptably high, underscoring the urgency of sustained and coordinated action. The Roadmap continues to be a relevant strategy to guide national and regional efforts, but its implementation must be accelerated to realize the shared visions of a safer Caribbean by 2030.
Background
The Caribbean Firearms Roadmap is a regional umbrella framework adopted by CARICOM States and the Dominican Republic in 2020, in which States committed themselves to implement concrete actions to combat illicit firearms trafficking and make the Caribbean a safer region. Sixteen countries in the region have formally adopted the Roadmap, with thirteen having developed National Action Plans, which tailor the Roadmap’s framework to their unique national contexts.
The Roadmap signifies a commitment by Caribbean States to implement sustainable solutions to prevent and combat armed violence and crimes that are aligned with international norms and the broader goal of promoting sustainable peace, security, and development across the Caribbean.
About UNLIREC
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) is one of three regional centres under the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Since its establishment in 1986, UNLIREC has worked to promote peace, security and disarmament throughout the region.
For more information, please visit www.unlirec.org or contact: melissa.yi@unlirec.org For real-time event coverage, you can also follow us on our social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
From 8 – 10 October, In a step toward combating illicit arms trafficking in the Caribbean, the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in collaboration with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC),carried out a Serial Number Restoration Course for participants from the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.
This course was developed to support States’ efforts to restore the characters and numbers that have been removed from firearms and to trace firearms. The 3-day course consisted of recorded videos, live demonstrations, as well as hands-on use of Magnaflux and Chemical Etching to restore/recover serial numbers from firearms that have been obliterated and submitted for analysis.
The training equipped six officials, including one woman, from the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and the Forensic Drug Laboratory, with specialized techniques to recover obliterated serial numbers from firearms, a critical tool in tracing weapons used in criminal activities.
In the Caribbean, several factors hinder the ability of States to trace the totality of recovered illicit firearms, including the age of the firearm, ineffective procedures, absence of serial numbers on firearms and the lack of capacity to unmask the origin of illicit firearms. Throughout the region, restoration techniques have been used to support criminal investigations and successfully trace weapons and even disband trafficking networks.
UNLIREC, as the regional arm of the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs, seeks to advance the cause of practical disarmament in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its commitment to support Member States.
The Serial Number Restoration Course contributes towards the implementation of Goal 3 of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, “Bolster law enforcement capacity to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and their illicit possession and misuse, and ammunition, and ultimately reducing firearms-related crimes and armed violence in the Caribbean.
This activity was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of the United States and contributes to the implementation of international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
On 12 September 2025, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), in collaboration with its Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) convened a virtual Regional Briefing on Security and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean. Theevent served as a preparatory dialogue aheadof the eightieth session of the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly.
The briefing brought together government representatives from 29 States across the region, including national focal points on disarmament, security and technology experts based in capitals, and delegates from Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York. Participating States included: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
The session provided a platform to exchange views and concerns on the rapid evolution of science and technology and its impact on international peace and security. Discussions covered both political processes and substantive issues on information and communications technologies (ICTs), the proliferation and misuse of armed uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the application of artificial intelligence in the military domain.
Regional experts, alongside representatives from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and UNODA, explored the implications of emerging technologies for regional and global security. UNODA also shared updates on ongoing multilateral discussions, noting the growing momentum among States to address these challenges collectively.
Delegations emphasized that emerging technologies are reshaping the security landscape in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region is facing the misuse of armed drones, rising threats from cybercrime, and the integration of artificial intelligence into daily life and defense systems. Participants underscored the importance of sustained regional dialogue and cooperation to address these evolving challenges.
As reflected in the Pact for the Future, adopted by UN Member States in September 2024, there is an urgent need to harness the benefits of new and emerging technologies whilst mitigating the risks associated with their misuse. This commitment is also evident in the growing number of intergovernmental debates and First Committee resolutions on those issues.
Caribbean countries now have access to a policy framework that will support and align with international best practices, their efforts in the disposal of the remnants left behind after the destruction of obsolete, unserviceable and illicit firearms and ammunition across the Region.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Adam Komorowski, Regional Director Latin America and the Caribbean, MAG, noted that across the Region, illegal firearms remain one of the most persistent threats to citizen security, sustainable development and social stability. He added that while many initiatives have rightly focused on controlling the flow of illicit weapons and strengthening law enforcement capacities, the disposal of firearms once they are seized, recovered or rendered obsolete is often overlooked.
“This Framework marks a turning point. It is not just about destroying weapons – it is about doing so safely, sustainably and systematically. It is about ensuring that every firearm removed from our streets is accounted for, disposed of responsibly and never finds its way back into circulation. And it is about aligning our practices with international standards, environmental responsibility, and our shared commitment to peace and justice,” Mr. Komorowski explained.
Ms. Katja Boettcher, Deputy Director, UNLIREC, said that it was an established fact that inadequate management of firearms and ammunition significantly increases the risk of diversion, fuelling the illicit spread of weapons and posing a threat to national, community and individual security.
She reported that despite the continued positive efforts and commitment of CARICOM Member States to execute periodic destruction, authorities were often left with remnant components that still needed disposal. “The Framework broaches fundamental issues that need to be addressed and provides a series of recommendations at immediate, medium- and long-term intervals, towards sustainable and cost-effective solutions to this ongoing challenge” she reiterated.
Mr. Callixtus Joseph, Assistant Director (Ag), Policy, Strategy and Innovation, CARICOM IMPACS, stated that the Framework contributes directly to international normative instruments, placing the Caribbean at the forefront of the development and implementation of global best practices and standards for the safe, secure and environmentally responsible disposal of weapons and ammunition. Additionally, he mentioned that the Framework supports the objectives of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, which was established in 2020, specifically Target 4.3, which aims to prevent the recirculation of illicit firearms and ammunition through their permanent and irreversible removal.
Mr. Joseph urged participants at the launch to “Let this be the catalyst for advancing and implementing the recommendations of the Framework and for reinforcing the Caribbean’s leadership in responsible arms control and environmental sustainability”.
From 10 to 13 June 2025, officials from Colombia’s Judiciary and Public Prosecutor’s Office in Bogota participated in two specialized training courses focused on integrating gender perspectives into firearms-related crime investigations. The trainings were organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in collaboration with the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Judicial School of the Superior Council of the Judiciary, and the Directorate of Advanced Studies of the Office of the Attorney General.
The two courses, one designed for prosecutors and the other for judges, were developed in response to persistent shortcomings in crime scene management, evidence handling, legal strategy design and the influence of gender stereotypes. These gaps often result in insufficient admissible evidence, leading to impunity, particularly in cases of gender-based violence. The lack of gender-sensitive training among justice officials frequently hinders the proper identification and prosecution of crimes such as femicide and sexual violence.
Each course adopted a practical approach using hypothetical case studies. The course for prosecutors provided tools to identify key elements for building case theory and preparing for oral trial proceedings. The course for judges focused on incorporating a gender perspective into the analysis and evaluation of evidence, and on issuing rulings free from bias and stereotypes.
The trainings aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to recognize and effectively address violence against women, ensuring that critical evidence such as firearms and ammunition supports survivors’ claims and that victims’ human rights are upheld throughout the legal process. Notably, firearms are not only instruments of lethal violence in such contexts, but also tools of intimidation, coercion, and control used against women.
Addressing this issue ensures also that States align their work with global commitments to gender equality and peace. In this context, the trainings contribute directly to the achievements of Goals 5 and 16 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, which aim to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls and to reduce illicit arms trafficking respectively. It also supports the implementation of the UN Pact for the Future and the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women (also known as Convention of Belém do Pará), reinforcing a comprehensive and coordinated approach to tackling gender-based violence and the misuse of weapons.
The courses were funded by the Government of Canada and forms part of UNLIREC’s ongoing efforts to support States in implementing UN General Assembly Resolution 65/69 on Women, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Control.
From 10 to 13 June 2025, a Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) Workshop was held at Camp Blizzard in Antigua and Barbuda. The event, organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), brought together 20 officials from the Royal Antigua & Barbuda Police Force, the Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force, the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy, and the Antigua & Barbuda Forensic Services.
Brigadier Telbert Benjamin opened the workshop by encouraging participants to “absorb and assess” the information shared and apply it within their respective institutions. He emphasized the importance of adopting international best practices to combat illicit firearms trafficking and expressed appreciation to UNLIREC and the Government of Canada for supporting the initiative.
The workshop aimed to enhance national capacities in managing and securing stockpiles of weapons, ammunition, and explosives in line with international norms and standards.
It provided a comprehensive overview of best practices in physical security and stockpile management, marking and recordkeeping, and the destruction of firearms and ammunition. Through a mix of theoretical presentations and practical exercises, participants gained valuable insights into effective stockpile management, a critical component in reducing the risks of loss, theft and accidents, while also identifying obsolete or surplus weapons. These efforts contribute directly to national and regional peace and security.
At the closing ceremony, Her Excellency Brenda Wills, High Commissioner of Canada, and The Honorable Steadroy Benjamin, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Immigration and Labour of Antigua and Barbuda, delivered remarks.
Speaking virtually, Her Excellency Wills stressed the importance of training and development in stockpile management to safeguard government-held firearms and ammunition. She reaffirmed Canada´s commitment to supporting Caribbean states in implementing the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
The Honorable Steadroy Benjamin, thanked the Government of Canada for its support and urged participants to apply the techniques and knowledge acquired to strengthen their institutions and enhance national security.
The workshop contributes to Goal 4 of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap: “Systematically decrease the risk of diversion of firearms and ammunition from government- and non-government-owned arsenals”. By reinforcing stockpile security and safety, the initiative supports broader regional efforts to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and crime in the Caribbean.
