Commonwealth_ Authorities are reporting a sharp increase in the smuggling of guns and ammunition from the United States to Latin America and the Caribbean, exacerbating conflict in regions already plagued by violence and instability. These illicit shipments are intensifying security concerns and fueling unrest in some of the world’s most vulnerable nations. Recent events underscore the gravity of the issue. Gunfire struck U.S.-based airlines last week as they navigated Haiti’s airspace. Although the origin of these firearms remains unknown, Haiti lacks domestic firearms manufacturing capabilities. With only a small artisanal arms market, most weapons fueling violence in the country are believed to originate from the U.S.
A new report by the research organization Small Arms Survey reveals a nearly 120% rise in seizures of firearms en route from the United States to the Caribbean and Latin America since 2016. This staggering increase reflects the growing role of U.S.-sourced weapons in perpetuating violence across the hemisphere.
“Available evidence indicates that traffickers in the U.S. are a major source of illicit weapons in the Caribbean and Latin America,” said Matt Schroeder, a senior researcher at Small Arms Survey and the author of the report. “The illicit acquisition and use of firearms in these regions rank among the most pressing security threats in the Western Hemisphere.”
The report, based on previously unpublished border seizure data obtained through public records requests, sheds light on the scope of the problem. However, the figures represent only the firearms that authorities have intercepted, leaving an untold number of trafficked weapons unaccounted for. Whether the increase in seizures reflects heightened trafficking activity, improved screening measures, or better data collection, the findings confirm a steady and alarming demand for illegal firearms.
The black market for American guns and ammunition has long been recognized by U.S. and international law enforcement agencies as a key driver of violence and humanitarian crises in Latin America and the Caribbean. A 2023 CBS Reports investigation reveals the smuggling of up to one million firearms across the U.S. border annually. Armed with military-grade weapons like grenade launchers and belt-fed Gatling-style miniguns, violent crimes disproportionately use these weapons.
The Caribbean, in particular, is facing heightened concerns over the influx of illicit firearms. A recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that U.S.-sourced guns accounted for the majority of weapons involved in crimes in the region. The U.S. accounted for 73% of recovered firearms in the Caribbean between 2018 and 2023, with Florida, Georgia, and Texas accounting for a significant number of these origins. These weapons are associated with 90% of homicides in some of the Caribbean’s most affected nations.
The Small Arms Survey report reveals concerning trends in the types of firearms trafficked. Among rifles seized en route to the Caribbean, 77% were AK- or AR-style models, a significantly higher proportion compared to seizures destined for Mexico (48%) or other Latin American countries (61%). Additionally, 93% of the magazines seized in Caribbean-bound shipments were high-capacity, capable of holding more than 10 rounds, making them particularly lethal in criminal hands.
The smuggling of U.S. firearms not only perpetuates violence but also poses significant challenges for law enforcement and governance in affected countries. As trafficking networks become more sophisticated, authorities face mounting difficulties in intercepting illegal shipments and stemming the flow of weapons.
The findings from the Small Arms Survey and the GAO underscore the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to tackle firearms trafficking. Enhanced monitoring at U.S. borders, stricter regulation of gun sales, and strengthened collaboration with Latin American and Caribbean governments are critical steps toward mitigating the devastating impact of illicit weapons on these regions.
