Are Caribbeans Considered Latino? Here’s the Real Answer

Every June, we celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage Month, a time to recognize the culture, music, food, and massive contributions of Caribbean people in the U.S. But there’s a question that always pops up: Are Caribbeans considered Latino? The answer? It’s not as simple as a yes or no. So let’s break it down.

“Latino” usually refers to people from Latin America, meaning regions in the Americas where Romance languages (like Spanish, Portuguese, or French) are spoken. That includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and some Caribbean nations. So, right away, we’ve got a link between Latinidad and the Caribbean. But that doesn’t mean every Caribbean person is Latino.

Who’s In the Caribbean?

The Caribbean is a region of islands surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. It includes countries like Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and many others. It’s generally divided into the Greater Antilles (larger islands such as Cuba and Hispaniola) and the Lesser Antilles (smaller ones like St. Lucia and Grenada).

In the Caribbean, people speak Spanish, French, English, Dutch, and Creole, making it more linguistically diverse than much of Latin America. This linguistic diversity is one reason why not everyone identifies all Caribbeans as Latino.

Latino Caribbeans

When it comes to language and colonial roots, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico definitely fit the Latino label. They speak Spanish and share a colonial history with other Latin American countries, culturally aligning with the broader Latino world. In fact, most of the Caribbean’s Spanish-speaking population (over 30 million people) live in these three countries. Their music, food, family structures, even the slang… anyone from Latin America would find it all very familiar.

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What About the Others?

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The French-speaking islands like Haiti, Guadeloupe, and Martinique also use Romance languages, so does that make them Latino? Technically, it can. French is a Latin language. Haiti, in particular, has a lot of cultural similarities with the rest of Latin America, even though its history and identity are strongly linked to African resistance and fight for independence. Many Haitians don’t consider themselves Latino, and that’s completely valid.

Then we’ve got English-speaking countries like Jamaica, Barbados, St. Vincent, and others. These nations were colonized by the British, and their languages, laws, and institutions reflect that. Most people from these islands don’t identify as Latino. Their roots are more Afro-Caribbean, and while they may share space in the Caribbean with Spanish-speaking islands, the cultural context is different.

So are Jamaicans or Bajans Latino? No, not really. They’re proudly Caribbean, and they’ve got their own identity that doesn’t need to fit into a Latin American label.

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Afro-Caribbean ≠ Afro-Latino (But Sometimes Both)

A big part of this discussion includes people of African descent in Latin America and the Caribbean. These are folks who might be Afro-Latino, Afro-Caribbean, or both. For instance, someone from the Dominican Republic or Cuba might identify as Afro-Latino because they’re of African descent and from a Spanish-speaking Latin American culture. Meanwhile, someone from Jamaica might identify as Afro-Caribbean, without using the Latino label, because it doesn’t align with their experience.

There’s overlap, too. In places like Puerto Rico or Haiti, identity can be complex. You can identify as Afro-Caribbean, Latino, and African-descent, all at the same time.

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What Makes Someone Latino?

That depends on who you ask. Some people think being Latino means speaking Spanish or Portuguese. Others say it’s about being from Latin America, regardless of the language you speak. Some even include French speakers in the mix. And for many, identity is personal, more than just checking boxes.

The term “Latino” didn’t even exist until the mid-1800s. It emerged during political movements that aimed to unite former Spanish and Portuguese colonies under one identity to distance themselves from Anglo-Saxon influences, primarily the U.S. and Britain. Over time, countries like France promoted the idea of “Latinidad” as a way to connect nations with Latin-based languages and shared colonial histories.

Later, in the 20th century, the term “Latin America and the Caribbean” became more official in regional organizations like ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) and CARICOM. But it doesn’t mean everyone in these regions identifies the same way.

So…Are Caribbeans Latino?

Let’s face it: some are, some aren’t. The Caribbean is diverse, that’s really the whole point. Trying to slap one label on every island or person overlooks the real beauty of the region: it’s a blend of Indigenous, African, European, and Asian roots that each country has crafted into something unique.

So next time someone asks you, “Are Caribbeans Latino?” you can confidently say, “Well, that depends on where and who you’re talking about.” Some Caribbean countries are definitely Latino through their language, culture, and history. Others are wholly Caribbean, with no need to claim any Latinidad. Both identities are valid. And both deserve a place at the table.

This Caribbean-American Heritage Month, let’s stop trying to fit everyone in a box and start celebrating the full range of culture, language, history, and identity that exists across the region. Because at the end of the day, we’re not just talking labels, we’re talking people.