Today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a meeting with the heads of government from the Eastern Caribbean and the Bahamas. The discussion focused on enhancing regional cooperation to address issues such as drug and firearms trafficking and illegal migration, which are significant contributors to violence and instability in the region.
Secretary Rubio encouraged Caribbean partners to bolster intelligence-sharing, security cooperation, and border security through initiatives like the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. He emphasized the importance of making responsible and transparent decisions when selecting vendors for critical infrastructure projects to avoid vulnerabilities related to privacy and security risks posed by malign actors such as the Chinese Communist Party.
Rubio also reiterated the United States' commitment to holding accountable officials involved in Cuba's forced labor scheme, including those linked to Cuba’s medical missions.
As hurricane season approaches, Secretary Rubio announced the reactivation of two U.S.-administered programs designed to enhance early warning systems and provide rapid assistance throughout the Caribbean.
The meeting included several key leaders: Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, Prime Minister Philip Davis of The Bahamas, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada, and Prime Minister Terrance Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
