ABSTRACT
Within recent times, security has dominated CARICOM’s agenda, thus resulting in developments at the national, regional, hemispheric, and global levels. These developments include the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime return to the Caribbean, creation of a Secretariat of Multidimensional Security in the OAS, establishment of a new management structure for crime and security in CARICOM, and implementation of a number of defense and security initiatives at the national level. Among the changes, Trinidad and Tobago was assigned lead responsibility for crime and security in CARICOM, has assumed the lead responsibility at the hemispheric level, and has undertaken a range of security initiatives in the region. To date, Trinidad and Tobago’s contribution to Caribbean security has not been clearly stated or examined. This chapter will be the first study that attempts to do so. Using a modified four-layered “Levels of Analysis” international relations theory to assess Trinidad and Tobago’s role on security and drawing on recent frameworks, the chapter concludes that Trinidad and Tobago has dominated Caribbean security issues and is an emerging regional power. It also establishes a link between the political philosophy in Trinidad and Tobago and the country’s role and contributions to regional security initiatives.
