Several matters of concern to regional leaders are likely to arise when United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in the Caribbean for talks with regional heads tomorrow.
A notice from the US Embassy in Guyana stated that the senior US official will travel to Jamaica, Guyana, and Suriname between March 26-27 to advance President Donald Trump’s US foreign policy priorities in the Caribbean.
“While in Jamaica, the Secretary will also hold bilateral engagements with heads of state from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti.”
Additionally, the official will engage regional leaders in his bid to “promote regional cooperation to end illegal immigration, counter transnational organised crime, strengthen regional actions to address Haiti’s political and security challenges, and enhance the United States’ economic partnerships with Caribbean countries.”
Rubio’s visit comes at an opportune time when regional heads have been eager to meet with top US representatives to address issues such as the potential ban on vital Cuban foreign health services to the region, the potential impact of a proposed hike in port fees for China-linked ships docking in the US, and threats to restrict US visas for high-ranking officials and nationals of six Caribbean countries, namely St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Haiti, and Cuba.
Regarding Cuban medical aid, many Caribbean leaders have praised the country’s invaluable service to the region and expressed their willingness to forgo their US visas if it meant keeping the necessary Cuban support.
Joining the global conversation, Caribbean leaders are also concerned about the fees on China-linked ships, which play a major role in facilitating shipping and trade activities in the region. In a Bloomberg report by local journalist Denis Chabrol, President Dr. Irfaan Ali stated that he was prepared to tell Rubio that the US’s proposed fines on Chinese-made cargo vessels would hurt the region’s oil and gas industry and raise transportation costs.
Caribbean leaders will also be seeking clarity on US travel restrictions affecting the named Caribbean countries.
