The Turks and Caicos tightens security in fear of Haiti’s crisis

The British Foreign Ministry is helping to provide security for the Southeastern Caribbean country, the Turks and Caicos, to help with the protection of its borders out of fear for its neighboring island Haiti. Criminal activities worsen in Haiti, since last month when more than 4,000 prisoners escaped and the violence and the risk that it could spread to the small island enabled the British government to an agreement on a security package for the borders of the Turks and Caicos.

According to report the shipment was made based on the request to avoid the spilling of migration into the wider areas of the Caribbean and more so to the Turks and Caicos only 200 miles away from the island of Haiti.

The security package that will be provided will enhance the coastline sensors and equipment for local police to tackle crime, including surveillance drones. As well as Britain would procure marine patrol boats to dispatch to the Turks and Caicos. In making the decision to provide help to the island, Foreign Secretary David Cameron in his statement via the Office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said, “the safety and the security of the people in the Turks and Caicos is vital following the terrible escalation of violence we have seen in Haiti.” As part of Britain’s plan to help, they will also make provisions for a maritime patrol craft to be sent to the Turks and Caicos.

Reports further stated that a reconnaissance team including British border officers and specialists in international police has also been dispatched to the Turks and Caicos to help determined what additional assistance the islands may need.

Just last month Britain dispatched specialized weapons and detectives to the Turks and Caicos Islands, in response to reports of an increase in violent crime there and in 2022 it sent a severe crime squad there.

The Turks and Caicos Islands is still a British Overseas Territory, and its legal system is based on English Common Law.

In addition, the United Kingdom also confirmed its commitment to supporting a Haitian-led political solution to the escalating violence in the country and the efforts of Caribbean partners to agree to a return to security and stability, the British statement noted.