Over the years, the Caribbean has been under the influence of the forces from outside countries such as European countries and United States in particular. The intervention from the foreign countries began with the intervention of the sugar plantations and the use of the slaves who were kidnapped from the African states (Neil, 2015). Over the decades, the outside forces originated from the European countries but more recently these forces have shifted to United States. The role of this work is to illustrate the various ways in which United States continue to control the sovereign states of Caribbean.
Traditionally, United States had been attempting to maintain and establish secure, peaceful, friendly and stable relationship with the Caribbean countries but without success. Nevertheless, the United States was forced to intervene with the affairs of the Caribbean region in order to prevent the region from hostile foreign powers by establishing military facilities, bringing to place balanced power and supporting economic activities. As a result, United States has managed to access strategic materials, investment opportunities, protect its territories, enhance trade and promote economic development in the region (Neil, 2015). More specifically, the United States intervened with the affairs of the Caribbean countries for security, communication, natural resources, control of narcotics trafficking and enhances immigration. For many years, the Caribbean region has been the major route for drug trafficking and narcotics smuggling into the territory of the United States. The United States government was therefore forced to establish legal systems which would control illegal immigration and drug trafficking from the Caribbean countries. The radical leaders in Granada forced other countries such as Jamaica to invite the United States military to come and intervene with the chaotic nature of the country.
In conclusion, strategic interest in the 19th century forced the United States to intervene with the affairs of the Caribbean region. The fact that the Caribbean region is proximately to the mainland; it was a strategic area where the United State could defend itself and the Caribbean region. In addition, United States was interested in exploitation of the natural resources such oil and gases which had remained unutilized over the decades (Neil, 2015). The drug trafficking issue which has been occurring now and then in Caribbean region has motivated the United States intervention in order to protect its citizens from consumption of the narcotic drugs being smuggled into its territory.
Reference
Neil, G. (2015). Caribbean Islands: The Increased Role of the United States. 5th Edition. New York Publishers.
