Thousands of guns recovered from Caribbean crime scenes came from the US, says government report
Nearly three-quarters of firearms recovered in several Caribbean nations with high crime rates originate from the United States, according to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). From 2018 to 2022, approximately 5,400 firearms retrieved from crime scenes in countries like Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago were traced back to the U.S., the GAO revealed.
Using data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the report highlighted that 88% of the traced firearms in 25 Caribbean countries were handguns. This underscores the role of American-made weapons in fueling violence in a region where firearm manufacturing is virtually non-existent.
Haiti has been particularly affected, with gang-related violence escalating dramatically in recent months. The GAO report noted that much of the firepower used by criminal networks in Haiti is smuggled from the U.S. via illicit trafficking routes. Criminal groups exploit weak border controls and established smuggling networks to move weapons into the Caribbean, as previously reported by CNN.
The consequences of the firearm influx are stark. Gang violence in Haiti has surged to unprecedented levels, leading to widespread insecurity, displacement of communities, and severe economic disruptions. Neighboring nations like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago also face high crime rates, with firearm-related homicides making up a significant portion of violent crimes.
The report comes amidst growing concern about the role of U.S. weapons in international violence. Advocacy groups have long called for stronger measures to control the export and trafficking of firearms from the U.S., citing the devastating impact on countries struggling with organized crime and weak law enforcement capabilities.
Efforts to curb the flow of guns into the Caribbean face significant challenges. Smuggling networks are well-established, and regional governments often lack the resources to monitor and secure borders effectively. Additionally, the demand for firearms among criminal organizations remains high due to ongoing turf wars and the lucrative drug trade.
The GAO report reinforces the urgent need for coordinated action between the U.S. and Caribbean nations to combat firearm trafficking. Potential measures include enhanced border security, stricter gun export regulations, and international cooperation to dismantle smuggling networks. Without such efforts, the cycle of violence fueled by U.S.-made firearms is likely to persist, exacerbating instability in some of the region’s most vulnerable countries.
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