West Indies Federation

The **West Indies Federation**, also known as the **West Indies** or the **Federation**, is a political union located in the Caribbean Sea, on Earth. It consists of 12 states. The West Indies Federation was formed near the start of the Caribbean Independence Movements, with the merging of Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia in 2044. Over the next nine years, the Federation would come to make consist of its founders as well as Jamaica, Antigua and Barbara, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Anguilla, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.

The West Indies Federation is a federal republic and representative democracy. The Federation is a member of the UN, the Pacific Treaty Federation, the G77, the Caribbean Community, the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States, and the Organization of American States. Since 2053, the Federation has seen its economy boom, bolstered in part by the United State's strategic support of the nation. The Federation is a space-fairing nation as of 2065, with the establishment of the St. George's Border Station, but still remains a small power.

## History

### Formation

Talks to form a federation of West Indies nations had seen talks be held in the mid 2030s, but no strong enough desire to make it happen. However during the 2042-2048 financial crisis, as Caribbean economies began to crash, serious talks began between Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia took place, and a constitution was drafted in March 2043. A year later in 2044, the West Indies Federation was officially formed.

### Caribbean Independence Movements and Expansions

As the world economy continued to tank, the Caribbean Independence Movements began. While they wouldn't enter right away, most islands that gained independence did so with the goal of joining the Federation. By the end of the movements and financial crisis, the Federation would consists of its founding nations plus Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla, Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda, and the British Virgin Islands. By 2053, the Cayman Islands, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica had joined the federation, with the Jamaican city of Kingston becoming the Federation's most populated city.

### Ascension to the PTF and present-day

As part of the United State's Lane Plan, the West Indies Federation joined the PTF along with the Lucayan Federation in 2062. This led to both countries, though more so the West Indies, receiving heavy economic backing from the United States and its allies. The West Indies Federation became a space-fairing nation in 2065, with the establishment of St. George's Border Station in Earth orbit. As well, the Federation possesses a small navy consisting of two corvettes and a frigate.

## Astrography

The West Indies Federation currently only possesses a single station in orbit of Earth. St. George's Border Station is in a geosynchronous orbit roughly above the Caribbean. Ships and persons entering the Federation's territory on Earth from space must first pass through St. George's and be cleared for entry.

## Government

The West Indies Federation is a federal republic and representative democracy, made up of 15 provinces.

The Federal Parliament of the West Indies Federation consists of a nominated Senate and a popularly elected House of Representatives. The Senate consists of 30 members. These members are appointed by the President, after consulting the respective provincial governments. Two members represent each unit . The House of Representatives has 50 total elected members.

Politics in the West Indies Federation are dominated by three parties; the New Democratic Party, the Modern Labor Party, and the People's Party of the West Indies. The NDP and MLP are left leaning, while the PPWI leans toward the right. Many minor parties exist across the Federation, including a handful pushing for independence for their respective island.

### Foreign Relations

The Federation enjoys good relations with fellow members of the Pacific Treaty Federation. It's strongest ally aside from the United States is the Lucayan Federation, which was formed just months before the West Indies. Relations with Canada are also in good standings, with both nations being formed through a federation of former British colonies. The West Indies is a trading partner of many Central American states, as well as Suriname.

Due to competing economies, as well as the Lane Plan, the West Indies is in poor standing with the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Haiti has attempted in the past to join the Federation, but the West Indies government will only allow both Haiti and the Dominican Republic in, not just one of them.

Relations with Europe are cordial due to the heavy ties between the European Union and PTF, but individual relations with the United Kingdom and France are weak.

### Military

The West Indies Federation mostly relies on fellow members of the PTF for defense, though it does posses a small military. The Armed Forces of the West Indies Federation is divided into three branches, the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard.

The West Indies Army has 6,971 active duty personnel, as well as 3,000 soldiers in reserve. Active duty soldiers are mainly deployed on Earth for national defense and PTF exercises. Around 300 serve aboard West Indies naval vessels and PTF stations operating in Earth orbit. Though not cutting edge equipment, the Federation's military equipment is still quite advanced, utilizing used equipment of the United States Armed Forces.

The West Indies Navy is the space warfare branch of the West Indies Armed Forces. Currently the WIN possesses two *Poole-*class corvettes and a *Roseau*-class frigate. The *Poole* class are a variation of the American *Eisenhower*-class corvette, while the *Roseau* is a variation of the American *Dakota*-class frigate. The WIN also possesses 6 F-19U Fighting Falcons, and a single Type-23 Beluga. All of these are American in origin. the WIN has 350 active personnel.

The West Indies Coast Guard is responsible for the Federations maritime defence. Despite being made up of islands, the WICG is quite small, with only a handful of vessels in service. This is due to the United States Coast Guard handling the maritime defence of the West Indies and Lucayan Federation.