Canada backs Caribbean maritime security ahead of 2027 regional exercise
Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Mark Berman, addresses the Final Planning Conference for Exercise Event Horizon 2027, at the Jamaica Defence Force Caribbean Military Academy on October 27
Key Points(5)
- Canada has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maritime security in the Caribbean through regional partnerships aimed at improving information sharing, operational readiness and efforts to disrupt trafficking networks.
- Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica Mark Berman outlined the commitment on October 27 during the Final Planning Conference for Exercise Event Horizon 2027 at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Caribbean Military Academy.
- The multinational exercise, scheduled for January 15-29, 2027, will bring together military, civilian and regional partners to test coordination and readiness in maritime security, search and rescue, cybersecurity, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
- Planning coordination is being supported by international partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Food Programme.
- Berman said effective regional security depended on cooperation among countries and institutions with complementary expertise and resources.
Canada has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maritime security in the Caribbean through regional partnerships aimed at improving information sharing, operational readiness and efforts to disrupt trafficking networks.
Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica Mark Berman outlined the commitment on October 27 during the Final Planning Conference for Exercise Event Horizon 2027 at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Caribbean Military Academy.
The multinational exercise, scheduled for January 15-29, 2027, will bring together military, civilian and regional partners to test coordination and readiness in maritime security, search and rescue, cybersecurity, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Planning coordination is being supported by international partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Food Programme.
Berman said effective regional security depended on cooperation among countries and institutions with complementary expertise and resources.
“Lasting security outcomes depend on partnerships and the complementary strengths, expertise and resources of our partners to support effective, multifaceted solutions,” he said.
He cited Exercise Event Horizon 2027 as an example of how joint planning can build the trust and coordination needed to respond effectively to real-world crises.
The exercise, led by the JDF, is expected to strengthen collaboration across the region’s maritime security community as countries seek to address existing and emerging threats.
Berman also recognised the contributions of the Regional Security System (RSS) and the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) to regional security cooperation.
Both institutions play roles in coordinating expertise, strengthening collaboration and supporting collective responses to security challenges across the Caribbean.
The Canadian high commissioner said maritime security was a shared responsibility requiring sustained cooperation among regional governments, security agencies and international partners.
He added that combining capabilities and resources would help participating countries detect and respond to threats while protecting legitimate maritime activity and supporting regional stability.
“Together, these efforts help to build effective security cooperation to meet today’s challenges and prepare for those of the future. Canada is very interested in supporting these efforts and working alongside our partners,” Berman said.
“Through partnerships, shared values and collective action, we can build a safer, more secure and more prosperous Caribbean, where legitimate trade, economic opportunity and sustainable development can thrive,” he added.
Exercise Event Horizon is a biennial, multinational, multi-agency and multidomain military and security exercise hosted by the JDF through its Maritime Air and Cyber Command (MACC).
The exercise simulates security threats, maritime law enforcement challenges, cybercrime and natural or human-caused disasters to test and improve regional readiness, interoperability and standard operating procedures.
