Grenada and U.S. Foreign Policy toward the Caribbean Region in the 21st Century: A Retrospective Appraisal of the 1983 Invasion

Abstract: This paper examines the changing dynamics of United States' relations with states in the Caribbean region since the early 1980s, using as case study the invasion of Grenada in 1983 which ended that country's political experiment. It adopts a historical approach based on a critical review of the literature to explore U.S.' use of its military, political, and economic powers to advance its political and foreign policy goals in the region. Many analysts considered the Reagan Administration's official reason for the invasion as merely a smokescreen for expansion of U.S. influence in the region during its Cold War rivalry with the former Soviet Union. It was an ominous reminder of how powerful nations exploit the vulnerabilities of weaker nations to advance their national interests. The invasion rolled back some of social and economic development gains achieved during Maurice Bishop's brief regime. The U.S. abandoned its obligations to Grenada following the invasion. The invasion complicated U.S.-Caribbean relations in terms of U.S.'s benign neglect of the region while at the same time leveraging its clout to advance its political, strategic/security and economic interests. The lesson is that small nations should strengthen internal democracy and forge regional political and economic ties in order to preserve their sovereignty.