United States supports digital infrastructure in the Caribbean

The United States has commended the Dominican Republic for its leadership in advancing trustworthy and secure digital infrastructure across the Caribbean. The U.S. Department of State has pledged ongoing technical assistance, financing tools, and diplomatic backing to support the region's technological advancement.

This recognition came during the annual conference of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations (Canto), held in Punta Cana from August 9-12. During the event, U.S. officials urged Caribbean governments to exclude untrusted information and communication technology providers from their systems and to adopt enhanced security measures for network modernization.

Prior to the Canto conference, the State Department organized the U.S.-Caribbean Digital Transformation Accelerator on August 7-8. This event convened regional regulators with U.S. companies and partners to develop specific projects. Key areas of focus included subsea cables, 5G network financing, satellite connectivity, and artificial intelligence readiness.

Washington also announced a new initiative for subsea cables in the Caribbean and Central America. This program aims to expand high-speed connectivity using reliable, secure, and resilient networks. It will be complemented by legal and technical assistance through the Department of Commerce to help governments draft legislation on trusted vendors and bolster critical infrastructure protection. These initiatives are designed to ensure dependable digital networks, fostering economic growth and commercial opportunities for both U.S. and Caribbean businesses.