Extradition in the Caribbean countries
The Caribbean region has long become a stage not only for tourism and investments but also for international crime. Drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption schemes often pass through island jurisdictions. In response, Caribbean countries actively enter into agreements and join international conventions. However, each jurisdiction has its own specifics: from participation in CARICOM and OAS treaties to bilateral agreements with the USA and Europe. For businesses and individuals, this means the necessity of a deep understanding of legal risks and rules of interaction. A mistake in strategy can cost freedom or assets. Therefore, competent legal support becomes a key element of protection in extradition cases.
Our legal company supports clients at all stages of the extradition process: we analyse the legality and grounds of the request, prepare a defence strategy taking into account international standards and local laws, interact with courts, the prosecution and diplomatic missions, achieve refusal of extradition, and provide consultations on alternative mechanisms.
Overview of the principles of extradition in the Caribbean region
Extradition is a legal procedure in which one state transfers a person accused or convicted of committing a crime to another state. The main goal of extradition is to ensure the inevitability of punishment and to strengthen international cooperation in combating crime. For the Caribbean region, this topic is particularly relevant: island states are often used as transit zones for drug trafficking, money laundering, and other transnational crimes.
Extradition is regulated by international treaties, regional agreements, as well as the domestic legislation of each country. The decision on extradition always requires a balance between the interests of justice and the observance of human rights.
A person may be extradited only if the act is recognised as a criminal offence in both jurisdictions. This excludes situations where a person is prosecuted for actions that are not considered crimes under local laws. Furthermore, the individual handed over upon request may only be prosecuted for the offence specified in the request. This principle protects against arbitrary expansion of charges after extradition.
The principle of the extradition procedure is similar in most jurisdictions. A foreign state sends an official request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Justice of the respective Caribbean country. Often, the first stage is “provisional arrest” – temporary detention until the full set of documents is received.
The National Court checks the existence of an international treaty or the principle of reciprocity, the compliance of the charges with the principle of double criminality, and the absence of grounds for refusal.
Even if the court recognises the request as justified, the final decision is made by the Minister of Justice or another authorised body. Thus, extradition combines both judicial and political components.
Extradition to/from the Bahamas
Extradition in the Bahamas is regulated by both national legislation and international treaties, primarily the agreement with the USA of 1990, which came into force in 1994. This treaty remains one of the key instruments of cooperation in combating transnational crime, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and fraud.
A feature of the system is the possibility of provisional arrest: the temporary detention of a person until the full package of documents is received from the requesting state. This procedure allows for the prevention of escape attempts and ensures the effectiveness of investigations.
Unlike many other jurisdictions, the Bahamas does not prohibit the extradition of its own citizens, which highlights the state’s high level of readiness for international cooperation. However, each case undergoes judicial review, where compliance with the principle of double criminality is examined, as well as the presence of grounds for refusal.
The final decision on extradition is made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs or the Minister of Justice, following the court’s ruling. Thus, the process combines both legal and political components.
Extradition to/from Barbados
Extradition in Barbados is regulated by both national legislation and international treaties concluded by the country with key partners. A distinctive feature is that Barbados allows the extradition of its own citizens, which sets it apart from a number of other Caribbean jurisdictions.
The procedure is based on the principle of double criminality: extradition is possible only if the act is recognised as a criminal offence in both jurisdictions. This rule protects individuals from prosecution for actions that are not considered criminally punishable in their own country.
The decision on extradition goes through several stages: from the consideration of the request by competent authorities to judicial proceedings. The person for whom the request has been made has the right to appeal the decision in national courts. Moreover, in a number of cases, it is possible to file a complaint with the Caribbean Court of Justice, which acts as the highest instance for international and regional matters.
Barbados also takes into account humanitarian and human rights aspects when considering extradition requests. Grounds for refusal may include the risk of politically motivated persecution or the likelihood of violation of basic human rights.
Extradition to/from Grenada
Grenada regulates issues of extradition both on the basis of national legislation and within the framework of international agreements. An important document is the extradition treaty with the USA, signed in 1996, which is actively used in the practice of law enforcement agencies of both countries.
A feature of Grenada’s legislation is that the country’s citizens are subject to extradition on general grounds. If there is a valid international request, they may be handed over to a foreign state in cases of crimes punishable by one year of imprisonment or more.
At the same time, extradition to Grenada is not permitted for political crimes. An exception may also be made in cases where there are risks of violations of fundamental human rights and no guarantee of a fair trial in the requesting country.
The procedure begins with an official request submitted through diplomatic channels or Interpol. After a preliminary review of the request, the courts of Grenada examine the evidence, and the final decision is approved by the Minister of Justice.
Extradition to/from Dominica
A feature of the legal regime of Dominica is that citizens of the country are subject to extradition. At the same time, extradition is possible only on the condition that the offence is punishable in both jurisdictions, which reflects the principle of double criminality.
A key element of the system is also the principle of specialty: a person extradited under an extradition request can only be held accountable for the charges specified in the request. This rule protects extradited individuals from extended and arbitrary prosecution.
The procedure begins with the receipt of an official request through diplomatic channels or Interpol. After review, the court assesses the sufficiency of evidence and compliance with all procedural guarantees, and the final decision is made by the Minister of Justice.
Extradition to/from the Dominican Republic
Extradition in the Dominican Republic is regulated by national legislation and international treaties, including the updated agreement with the USA from 2015. It is this treaty that significantly expanded the list of extraditable crimes, including such categories as corruption, financial fraud, cybercrimes, and drug trafficking.
One of the key legal elements is the principle of double criminality: extradition is possible only when the act is recognised as a criminally punishable offence in both jurisdictions. Furthermore, the principle of specialty applies, according to which the extradited person can only be held accountable for those charges that are explicitly stated in the extradition request.
The process begins with the receipt of an official request, which is transmitted through diplomatic channels or Interpol. Then the court evaluates the sufficiency of evidence and checks the compliance of the request with international standards and domestic law. The final decision on extradition is made by the president or the minister of justice.
Extradition to/from Cuba
Extradition in Cuba has its own peculiarities, connected both with national legislation and the political context. Despite the existence of an extradition treaty with the USA, which was signed back in the mid-20th century, in practice, Cuba very rarely satisfies extradition requests.
The main reason for refusal is the political component. Cuba traditionally views many cases through the prism of political motivation and may regard requests as a tool of pressure. This is especially true for individuals accused of crimes related to opposition, ideology, and actions against the existing state system.
A separate significance is held by Cuban citizenship. The country’s constitution directly prohibits the extradition of its own citizens, which makes the procedure impossible in most cases. Thus, even in the presence of serious accusations, Cuban citizens are protected by national law.
In fact, Cuba’s extradition practice remains extremely limited. Requests received from the USA and a number of other countries are generally not fulfilled, which creates a special legal regime for individuals hiding within the territory of the state.
Extradition to/from Saint Kitts and Nevis
Extradition practice in Saint Kitts and Nevis underwent changes following the adoption of the new 2025 law, which simplified procedures while simultaneously strengthening legal guarantees for individuals subject to a request. The process has now become more transparent, and the courts have been granted expanded powers to assess the admissibility of extradition.
The key condition for issuance is compliance with the principle of double criminality. The principle of specialty is also applied, which limits the possibility of holding a person accountable only for those charges specified in the extradition request.
The law has retained an important political proviso. Extradition is not permitted if the crime is of an evidently political nature or if there is a risk of persecution on political grounds. Furthermore, within the framework of the new amendments, guarantees for the protection of human rights have been strengthened, including the right to appeal and access to legal assistance.
Saint Kitts and Nevis actively participates in regional cooperation agreements, including arrangements within the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty, which enhances the effectiveness of interaction with other countries in the Caribbean region.
Extradition to/from Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia takes an active position in international cooperation on extradition issues and builds close ties with key partners, including the USA and France. These agreements cover a wide range of crimes, allowing for prompt responses to requests in the field of transnational crime.
An important feature of the legislation is that citizens of Saint Lucia are subject to extradition on general grounds. At the same time, extradition procedures are accompanied by judicial oversight and the possibility of appealing decisions, which ensures the protection of the rights of the accused.
The legislation of Saint Lucia is based on international principles, such as double criminality and specialty, which limits the further prosecution of a person solely to the charges specified in the extradition request.
Moreover, Saint Lucia actively participates in the regional CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty system, which simplifies interaction between Caribbean countries. This mechanism allows for the acceleration of the process of detaining and transferring individuals suspected or accused of committing crimes within the region.
Extradition to/from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an active participant in international cooperation in the field of criminal law. The basis of the legal mechanism is the 1996 treaty with the USA, which regulates the procedure for extraditing persons accused or convicted of committing crimes.
According to the agreement, extradition is possible even in relation to citizens of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which is an important feature for the region. At the same time, adherence to the principle of double criminality remains a mandatory condition.
Extradition procedures are carried out taking into account procedural guarantees and judicial oversight, including the right of the person to appeal the decision on extradition. At the same time, national legislation and the treaty provide grounds for refusal, among which are highlighted the political nature of the offence and humanitarian reasons. The latter may include the risk of ill-treatment, discrimination, or non-compliance with standards of fair justice.
Extradition to/from Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago builds its extradition policy based on modern international treaties, including an agreement with the USA. The treaty provides clear guarantees of the rights of individuals for whom extradition is requested and takes into account key international principles.
One of the main conditions of extradition is the principle of double criminality, which allows minimising the risk of abuse and limits extradition only to cases of serious violations of the law.
Particular attention is paid to the right of appeal. Any decision on extradition can be reviewed in the courts, which ensures a balance between international obligations and the protection of individual rights. Unlike a number of other countries in the region, Trinidad and Tobago allows the extradition of its own citizens, but only on the condition of providing sufficient legal guarantees.
Extradition to/from Jamaica
Jamaica is one of the Caribbean jurisdictions that has established active cooperation with the USA in the field of extradition. The basis is a bilateral treaty that regulates the procedure for the surrender of accused and suspected persons. An important point is that Jamaica allows the extradition of its own citizens.
At the same time, the principle of double criminality applies. Additionally, the principle of specialty is applied, which prohibits prosecuting an extradited person for crimes not specified in the official request. These guarantees make it possible to limit the scope of extradition strictly to the framework of clearly defined charges.
The legislation of Jamaica also provides the right to refuse extradition. Most often, this concerns cases where the accusation is politically motivated or if there is a risk of the death penalty being imposed. In such situations, the state requires reliable guarantees that the death penalty will not be applied.
Special significance is given to judicial control. Decisions on extradition can be appealed in national courts, including an appeal to the Privy Council in London, which remains the highest appellate instance for Jamaica.
Are you being prosecuted, but you hold citizenship of one of the Caribbean countries?
Our lawyers help clients navigate the intricacies of international agreements and national laws that regulate the extradition procedure. We analyse your specific case, assess the risks of extradition, and develop a defence strategy, taking into account the international obligations of your country of citizenship.
Particular attention is paid to issues related to the political offence exception, the principle of dual criminality, and the right to a fair trial. In the event of an extradition threat, we assist clients at all stages of the process: from the review of the request in local courts to filing complaints with international bodies.
It is important to remember that in a number of Caribbean countries, the possibility of appealing an extradition decision in higher judicial bodies, including the British Privy Council, is provided. Such a multi-level process requires deep knowledge not only of local legislation but also of international law.
How can we help:
- We conduct a legal examination of your case;
- We are preparing a defence strategy taking into account international treaties;
- We represent interests in national courts and arbitrations;
- We assist in challenging extradition in international instances;
- We ensure confidentiality and comprehensive support at every stage.
If you are under the threat of extradition, do not delay resolving the issue. Contact our team right now, we will offer a practical defence strategy and do everything possible to preserve your freedom and rights.
