The Caribbean Community Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) has welcomed the bipartisan introduction of the Strengthening U.S.-Caribbean Partnership Act in the U.S. Congress, calling it a pivotal moment for regional cooperation.
The bill, introduced by Representatives Joaquin Castro, Maria Elvira Salazar, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, and Mike Lawler, seeks to formally recognize the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) under the International Organization Immunities Act. COFCOR says the move affirms the value of Caribbean-American ties and reinforces U.S. trust in CARICOM as a “vital and unified regional voice.”
“This forward-looking legislation sends a clear and powerful message: prosperity, security, and democratic stability of the Caribbean and the United States are intrinsically linked,” COFCOR said in a statement.
The Council described the bill as an important milestone in the decades-long journey to strengthen regional collaboration. It highlighted key areas of mutual interest—including trade, public health, citizen security, and climate resilience—underscoring the Caribbean’s role not only as a neighbor, but as a strategic partner.
“We commend this visionary initiative and stand ready to work closely with our American counterparts to turn these shared aspirations into lasting outcomes for all our peoples,” the statement concluded.
