Regional Integration in the Caribbean

The chapter gives an overview of regional integration efforts from the time of the West Indies Federation to the Caribbean Free Trade Association and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). This chapter also examines how the Caribbean Community operates as a regional organization. It provides a general introduction to CARICOM, its purpose, mandate, governance structure, institutions, challenges, and future direction. Finally, the chapter exposes CARICOM’s development challenges and reflects on what emerging trends against regional cooperation could mean for CARICOM-Cuba relations.