US Energy diplomacy with the states of the Caribbean region

The relevance of this study stems from the growing role of energy diplomacy in shaping regional security and economic stability in the Caribbean basin, against a backdrop of competition among major powers and the vulnerability of small island economies to external shocks. The aim of the study was to determine how US energy policy transformed the energy systems of Caribbean states and what strategic consequences this produced for the region. The methodological framework of the study included a comparative analysis of state policies, an institutional analysis of US programmes, content analysis of statistical data from international organisations, and a SWOT assessment of the position of Caribbean countries within the new energy configuration. The findings established that US policy contributed to significant diversification of energy supplies and reduced the countries’ dependence on imported oil, which had historically accounted for more than 80-90% of their energy balance. It was found that the development of LNG infrastructure ensured lower generation costs and improved the predictability of energy flows. It was demonstrated that US technical and institutional assistance strengthened the regulatory capacity of small states, accelerated their integration of renewable energy sources, and contributed to the modernisation of electricity grids. It was established that US programmes enhanced the region’s energy resilience to natural disasters through support for microgrids, energy storage systems, and the digitalisation of management. At the same time, it was revealed that the expansion of the American presence created risks of unequal access to investment, debt dependency, and the strengthening of structural asymmetry between donors and recipients. The study also showed that strategic competition between the United States, China, and Venezuela significantly altered the balance of power in the region, shaping a new model of energy security in which Caribbean countries are positioned between several centres of influence. The conclusions of the study demonstrated that US energy diplomacy became one of the key factors in the transformation of Caribbean energy systems, combining infrastructure modernisation, institutional reforms, and the geopolitical repositioning of the region. The practical significance of the work lies in the possibility of using its findings for the development of energy resilience strategies for small states and the formulation of a balanced foreign policy in the field of energy security