Caribbean islands this year have experienced an increase or record number of homicides triggered by a growing number of weapons smuggled from the United States, according to a report by the Associated Press (AP).

Caribbean countries do not produce firearms or ammunition or import them on a large scale, but those countries account for half of the world’s 10 highest national homicide rates, said U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat.

The Turks and Caicos Islands recently reported a record 40 homicides this year.

“Rest assured, we remain committed to stemming the flow of illegal weapons,” Police Inspector Jason James said.

How Many Weapons Have Been Seized in the Caribbean?

The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) tracked down firearms seized in the Caribbean.

According to the latest data of the institution, 266 firearms seized in the Bahamas in 2023 were delivered to ATF. Meanwhile, 234 firearms were seized in Jamaica, 162 in the Dominican Republic and 143 in Trinidad and Tobago, according to the data.

The majority of these firearms are pistols, followed by semi-automatic pistols.

Gun Violence in the Caribbean

The Bahamas has so far reported a 23 percent increase in homicides compared to last year. As of early October, there have been 90 murders in the Bahamas this year. But the overall crime rate has decreased, according to government statistics.

Jamaica has one of the highest murder rates in the world among countries with reliable statistics. The Caribbean country has a homicide rate of 53.3 per 100,000 people. Police statistics show that 960 people have been killed in Jamacia as of November 2 this year. Although this number is a decrease of almost 20 percent compared to last year, violence is still common in the country.

Trinidad and Tobago had 518 murders this year as of the end of October, compared with 468 last year.

Haitt is the Caribbean nation most affected by smuggled firearms aiding gangs who control 85 percent of the capital of Port-au-Prince.

According to the UN Security Council report at the end of October, “Despite the strengthening of arms embargo measures, arms smuggling continues unabated.” “Gangs are increasingly purchasing larger-caliber weapons, causing more damage and posing greater challenges to the police and the (UN-backed) mission.”

Jamaica has passed an anti-gang law, while the Turks and Caicos Islands passed a law in early October that allows authorities to offer immunity or reduced sentences to people who provide key information about a crime.

Police in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks & Caicos Islands did not respond to repeated AP requests for comment.

Michael Jones, director general of Caribbean trading bloc Caricom’s Crime and Security Enforcement Agency, said gunmen were using higher caliber weapons and becoming more brazen.

“There are those who are brave enough to walk up to a person, put a gun to his head and walk away,” he said.

Jones said gangs are franchising in the Caribbean. He said gunmen sometimes travel to a particular island to commit crimes and then leave.

Gangs also prey on young people because they lack opportunities, according to Jones.

What is the USA’s Reaction?

In late September, New York Attorney General Letitia James and 13 of her colleagues across the country demanded new measures to stem the flow of guns.

According to the letter, 90 percent of the weapons used in the Caribbean are purchased from the USA and smuggled to the islands.

“American-made weapons are flowing into Caribbean countries and communities, fueling violence, chaos, and senseless tragedies throughout the region,” James wrote in his letter.

Meanwhile, the US government appointed its first coordinator for Caribbean firearms investigations in mid-2023 to help limit gun smuggling from the US to the islands.

This article contains news from the Associated Press.