The U.S. State Department has earmarked $175.8 million to enhance high-speed underwater connectivity across the Caribbean and Central America. This announcement was made Thursday in Washington during the U.S.-Caribbean Dialogue, led by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
The initiative, officially named "Countering CCP Control of Caribbean and Central America Undersea Cables," aims to replace outdated infrastructure with secure networks that are independent of entities linked to Beijing. This plan was communicated to Congress in July 2026.
This investment in undersea cables is the largest component of a broader $340.8 million package unveiled by Washington for the region at the same forum, which brought together high-level delegations from 15 countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
A Commitment to Regional Development
This meeting fulfilled a promise made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) during their February session in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Countries potentially benefiting from this cable program include El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Haiti. However, collaboration with Nicaragua is deemed unlikely due to deteriorating relations between Washington and the government of Daniel Ortega.
Additional Financial Packages
Alongside the cable investment, the package includes $61.5 million for the ASPIRE program, dedicated to enhancing the Caribbean's healthcare self-sufficiency through ethical and transparent hiring of health professionals. Additionally, $37 million is allocated to new programs under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) to safeguard critical digital infrastructure, ports, and combat illegal fishing. An extra $66 million is provided for narcotics control, law enforcement, and military funding.
Cuba is notably absent from these initiatives; the island is not a CARICOM member, maintains strained relations with Washington, and is not among the undersea cable program's beneficiaries.
Cuba's Connectivity Challenges
Cuba's digital vulnerability was highlighted last September when maritime link damage left the Isle of Youth without mobile service for over a week. The island relies on two international cables: ALBA-1, connected to Venezuela and operational since 2013, and Arimao, linked to Martinique through Orange and ETECSA.
Back in August, the U.S. had already proposed an undersea cable initiative at the CANTO 2026 event, excluding Cuba. In December 2022, the Cuban regime showed interest in connecting to Florida via an undersea cable, a proposal that never materialized.
By 2027, the U.S. plans to host a Caribbean Investment Summit to connect American businesses and financiers with regional partners, alongside a CBSI Security Ministerial in the spring of that year with Caribbean ministers and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).
Understanding the U.S. Undersea Cable Initiative
What is the purpose of the U.S. investment in undersea cables?
The investment aims to replace outdated infrastructure with secure networks that are independent of providers linked to Beijing, enhancing connectivity in the Caribbean and Central America.
Which countries are potential beneficiaries of this program?
The countries identified as potential beneficiaries include El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Haiti, although collaboration with Nicaragua is unlikely.
Why is Cuba excluded from the U.S. initiatives?
Cuba is not included because it is not a member of CARICOM, has tense relations with the United States, and is not part of the undersea cable program's beneficiaries.