Washington DC, March 4, 2025 – Major General Richard Heitkamp, Director, Inter-American Defense College (IADC), accompanied by United States Navy Captain, Rick Ursery and Saint Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the United States of America, Her Excellency Jacinth Henry-Martin, concluded what Major General described as one of his most “successful and impactful courtesy visits”. This visit underscored the commitment of the Inter-American Defense College (IADC) to strengthening security cooperation and capacity-building efforts with the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
During his visit, Major General Heitkamp engaged in high-level discussions with the Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew; Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas; Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Samal Duggins; senior national security officials and senior officials in the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology (ICT). These meetings focused on enhancing security collaboration, education, and capacity-building initiatives.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Drew, discussions centered on the importance of cohesive and timely responses to crime within CARICOM states. Emphasizing a holistic approach to security, the Prime Minister outlined Saint Kitts and Nevis’ strategy, which includes addressing food security, health security, citizen security, and economic security. Prime Minister Drew highlighted recent successes in crime reduction, attributed to innovative techniques and strengthened partnerships. Additionally, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to regional cooperation and the ratification of the San Jose Agreement, aimed at combating transnational criminal activities.
Major General Heitkamp presented an overview of the educational and training programs offered by the IADC, emphasizing their potential to build capacity within Saint Kitts and Nevis’ security apparatus. Both parties agreed on the strategic importance of collaborating with the United States to address shared security concerns and enhance training opportunities.
A key highlight of the discussions was a fully funded scholarship opportunity at the IADC to pursue an accelerated master’s program. This initiative aligns with the broader objective of strengthening the nation’s security sector through education and professional development.
A follow-up meeting with national security leadership, including senior officials from the Ministry of National Security, the police force, customs, immigration, and disaster management, reinforced the commitment to proactive engagement with the IADC. The discussions highlighted the need for expanded participation in IADC programs, customized training initiatives, and leveraging international partnerships for intelligence sharing and collaborative security efforts.
Engagements with Minister Douglas emphasized the potential for diplomatic and security cooperation between Saint Kitts and Nevis, Guatemala, and Taiwan, particularly in crime prevention and security enhancement. Meanwhile, discussions with the senior officials in the Ministry of ICT explored opportunities for collaboration in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital governance, with the IADC facilitating leadership and executive management training for government officials. The Ministry identified key areas such as cybersecurity, drone technology, data science, and IT governance as priorities for future training programs.
In his meeting with Minister Duggins, Major General Heitkamp outlined how the IADC’s programs align with national food security and agricultural development goals. The discussion focused on knowledge transfer initiatives, postgraduate education, and specialized training to enhance the Ministry’s capacity in achieving national objectives. Minister Duggins welcomed the collaboration and reaffirmed his commitment to leveraging IADC resources for the professionalization of the agricultural sector.
Throughout the visit, there was a resounding consensus on the necessity of continued dialogue, proactive engagement, and leveraging the IADC’s resources for national development. A key outcome of the visit was the agreement to establish a direct communication channel between the Permanent Mission of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the Organization of American States (OAS) and the IADC to coordinate training needs and implementation schedules.
The visit marks a significant step forward in strengthening the Federation’s security framework and enhancing cooperation with international partners.
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