More information about Grenada is available on the Grenada Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-GRENADA RELATIONS
The United States established diplomatic relations with Grenada in 1974 following its independence from the United Kingdom. After obtaining independence, Grenada adopted a modified Westminster parliamentary system based on the British model, which includes a governor general appointed by and representing the British monarch (head of state). In 1979, the opposition staged a coup and established the People’s Revolutionary Government. In 1983, a power struggle within the ruling party resulted in the arrest and execution of the prime minister and several members of his cabinet and the killing of dozens of his supporters by elements of the People’s Revolutionary Army. A U.S.-Caribbean force landed on Grenada in response to an appeal from Grenada's governor general and a request for assistance from other Eastern Caribbean states. U.S. citizens were evacuated, and order was restored.
Grenada has shown a commitment to protecting its democratic traditions and delivering educational and economic opportunities to its citizens, and the United States seeks to strengthen the ties of friendship between the two countries. The United States and Grenada cooperate through partnerships including the Partnership Framework for HIV and AIDS, the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, and the Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program. The two also cooperate closely in fighting narcotics smuggling and other forms of transnational crime. They have signed a maritime law enforcement treaty with an overflight/order-to-land amendment, a mutual legal assistance treaty, and an extradition treaty.
The U.S. Ambassador to Grenada is resident in Bridgetown, Barbados. The U.S. Embassy in Grenada is staffed by a Charge d'Affaires who reports to the Ambassador in Bridgetown as well as five locally engaged staff.
U.S. Assistance to Grenada
The U.S. Agency for International Development plays a role in Grenada's development through its office in Bridgetown, Barbados. Peace Corps volunteers in Grenada teach special education, remedial reading, and vocational training and assist with HIV/AIDS work. Grenada receives counter-narcotics assistance from the United States and is eligible to be considered for U.S. military exercise-related construction and humanitarian civic action projects. The United States provides training, equipment, and material to Grenadian security and defense forces, including through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. Some U.S. military training is provided as well.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Grenada is a beneficiary of the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), which grants duty-free entry into the United States for many goods. The CBI aims to facilitate the economic development and export diversification of the Caribbean Basin economies. Grenada is a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). At the 2012 meeting of the U.S.-CARICOM Trade and Investment Council, the parties approved an action agenda outlining priorities for strengthening and deepening the trading relationship. The U.S. and CARICOM are also negotiating a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), which will provide a more formal mechanism for engagement on economic issues.
Grenada's Membership in International Organizations
Grenada and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
Bilateral Representation
The U.S. Ambassador to Grenada is Larry L. Palmer, resident in Barbados. Other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.
Grenada maintains an embassy in the United States at 1701 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel: 202-265-2561).
More information about Grenada is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State Grenada Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Grenada Page
U.S. Embassy: Barbados and Eastern Caribbean
History of U.S. Relations With Grenada
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Library of Congress Country Studies (see Caribbean Islands)
Travel and Business Information
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
