Not every island/country in the Caribbean is independent. Sadly, many are still aligned with former colonial empires, including France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Some that achieved independence from Britain are now commonwealth realm countries with King Charles III as their monarch and head of state. Commonwealth realm countries in the Caribbean include Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent & The Grenadines.
The King is not involved in the day-to-day business of commonwealth realm countries, which also includes Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, he appoints a Governor-General in each commonwealth realm country who represents her and keeps her updated with any significant developments or news.
Caribbean political map with capitals, national borders, important cities rivers, and lakes. Photo Credit: © Peter Hermes Furian via 123RF.com.
But can a country truly be a sovereign/independent state if its head of state is in a distant land? Many would argue no, which is why there are increasing calls for commonwealth realm countries to become republics. Heeding the call is Barbados which became a republic on November 30th, 2021, the 55th anniversary of its independence from Britain. By becoming a republic, Barbados nicknamed “Little England,” ended its colonial ties nearly 400 years after the first British settlement was established in 1627 with the arrival of William and John ship.
Barbados becoming a republic in 2021 is the first time since 1992 that a commonwealth realm country has ditched its constitutional monarch, but others are sure to follow. Most likely after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving British monarch. So, what is the government status for all islands/countries in the Caribbean? Below I provide insight into independent countries in the Caribbean and the dependent territories in the Caribbean.
Fountain Independence Square in Bridgetown, Barbados. Photo Credit: © Byvalet via 123rf.com.
Independent Countries in the Caribbean
There are there is a total of sixteen sovereign states / independent countries in the Caribbean. They are listed chronologically below in the order they achieved independence. They include:
| Country | Date of Independence | Former Colony Of | Current Government |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haiti | January 01, 1804 | France | Semi-presidential republic |
| Dominican Republic | February 27, 1844 | Haiti | Unitary presidential republic |
| Cuba | May 20, 1902 | Spain | Unitary Marxist–Leninist one-party socialist republic |
| Jamaica | August 6, 1962 | United Kingdom | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Trinidad & Tobago | August 31, 1962 | United Kingdom | Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic |
| Guyana | May 26, 1966 | United Kingdom | Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency |
| Barbados | November 30, 1966 | United Kingdom | Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic |
| The Bahamas | July 10, 1973 | United Kingdom | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Grenada | February 7, 1974 | United Kingdom | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Suriname | November 25, 1975 | The Netherlands | Unitary assembly-independent republic |
| Dominica | November 3, 1978 | United Kingdom | Unitary assembly-independent republic |
| Saint Lucia | February 22, 1979 | United Kingdom | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Saint Vincent & The Grenadines | October 27, 1979 | United Kingdom | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Belize | September 21, 1981 | United Kingdom | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Antigua & Barbuda | November 1, 1981 | United Kingdom | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Saint Kitts & Nevis | September 19, 1983 | United Kingdom | Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Country | Date of Independence | Former Colony Of | Type of Government |
Of the sixteen independent countries in the Caribbean, only eight are republics. This includes Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago. The other eight have a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy government or federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy government and are members of the commonwealth realm with their monarch and head of state as King Charles III. This includes Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.
View of Havana on a sunny day with Revolution Square in the foreground. Photo Credit: © Karel Miragaya via 123rf.com.
Dependent Territories in the Caribbean
There are eighteen islands in the Caribbean that remain dependencies, in one form or another, to France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Specifically:
- France has four Overseas Departments and Regions in the Caribbean, including Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthelemy, and Saint Martin. Each of their governments is a devolved parliamentary dependency.
- The Netherlands has three Special Municipalities in the Caribbean, including Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius. Each of their governments is a parliamentary representative democracy within a constitutional monarchy.
- The United Kingdom has six British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean, including Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Turks & Caicos Islands. Each of their governments is a parliamentary dependency under a constitutional monarchy.
- The United States has two Territories in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands.
So will any of these dependent territories soon become independent countries in the Caribbean? There are varying degrees of political will on most of these islands, but the economic situation for each will need to improve significantly. Only then will the political will turn into a mandate.
Note: Originally published November 30th, 2021, this post was updated February 19th, 2023.
