KINGSTON, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) — The United States and nations of the Caribbean on Tuesday vowed to work together to combat rampant cross-border crimes in the Caribbean region, said reports from the Guyanese capital of Georgetown.

They made the pledge during a two-day meeting of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) commission, which gathered the United States, the Caribbean Community countries and Dominican Republic in Georgetown.

During the conference, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt, called for deepened cooperation.

“We hope that all participants will be able to return home with renewed commitment to the CBSI partnership and renewed belief that we can together enhance the safety and security of our citizens through cooperation, creativity and perseverance,” Hardt said.

Guyanese Prime Minister Sam Hinds said that the Caribbean region faces serious problems in crimes and security, such as drugs and human trafficking, firearm smuggling and gun-related crimes.

The prime minister called for a holistic approach to address those problems as “some of the factors that contribute to our difficulties are in some instances, influenced by events outside of our borders.”

Due to their geographic locations, long coastlines and incomplete criminal justice systems, Caribbean nations are especially vulnerable to rising crimes and violence.

The CBSI was created by the 2009 Summit of the Americas, with strategic goals of substantially reducing illicit trafficking, advancing public safety and security, and promoting social justice in the region.

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