Marco Rubio Arrives in St Kitts for Talks with CARICOM Heads

United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio is now in St Kitts and Nevis where he is holding talks with Caricom Heads of Government at their 50th regular meeting. The US’ top diplomat addressed the leaders before lunch on the first full day of their meeting. The post-lunch session has been marked by an interactive caucus, being co-hosted by Caricom Chairman and St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, Dr Terrance Drew and Secretary Rubio.

Rubio told the leaders that this region holds a special interest to the US and looks forward to continued engagement with the Caribbean.

The situation in Cuba and Venezuela, as well as migration are among the pre-eminent geo-political issues being discussed.

The engagement is being held in the shadow of a deepening fuel crisis in Cuba, triggered by a US oil blockade, as well as the whirlwind developments in Venezuela, where the US military carried out a lightning operation which resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro in January. The US has taken a more assertive foreign policy stance to the Americas, in line with the Trump corollary to the 1820s Monroe Doctrine.

Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne is leading Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation, which also includes Ambassador to Caricom, Dr Clarence Henry and senior foreign service officer, Kurt Williams.

More in the ABS Evening News at 7.