US’ TOP DIPLOMAT TO ADDRESS CARICOM HEADS OF GOVERNMENT IN ST KITTS

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to address Caricom heads of government at their 50th regular meeting in St Kitts and Nevis, starting on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne is joining his colleague heads for the February 24 to 27 meeting.

The talks are coming at a time of heightened geo-political flux in the hemisphere, as the Trump administration takes a more muscular approach to foreign policy, in the latest iteration of the 19th century Monroe Doctrine.

Antigua and Barbuda’s top diplomat in Washington, Sir Ronald Sanders, says Rubio’s presence should be treated as consequential.

Sir Ronald says his visit offers an opportunity to recalibrate the relationship between the United States and the regional bloc.

Caricom is made up of 15-member states, all of which are independent, except for Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory.

The bloc also has six associate members.