Rubio pledges stronger US-Caribbean partnership at regional summit

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged deeper security and economic cooperation with Caribbean nations on Wednesday, telling regional leaders that Washington seeks to "rebuild and construct a new dynamic" in the Western Hemisphere. Addressing the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in St. Kitts and Nevis, Rubio became the first US secretary of state to attend the gathering in roughly a decade.

Shared Security Challenges

Rubio identified transnational criminal organizations as "the most urgent security threat" facing both the Caribbean and the United States, acknowledging that some weapons used by these groups originate in the US. He pledged continued efforts by American law enforcement to disrupt those supply chains, emphasizing that "the stability and prosperity of Caribbean nations are directly linked to US interests."

Energy and Economic Collaboration

The secretary stressed economic collaboration, particularly in the energy sector, noting that many Caribbean nations seek to responsibly develop their energy resources. "Energy is critical for the future; it's critical for every economy in order to prosper," Rubio said, encouraging expanded American investment in the region. The visit comes amid heightened US pressure on Cuba and following the January 3 operation that removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Regional Concerns Over Cuba

Caribbean leaders used the summit to voice concerns about the humanitarian situation in Cuba, where US-blocked oil shipments have worsened fuel shortages and triggered blackouts. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned that "a prolonged crisis in Cuba will not remain confined to Cuba" and urged "constructive dialogue" between Havana and Washington. St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew echoed this, stating plainly that "a destabilized Cuba will destabilize all of us."

Trump's "Donroe Doctrine"

Rubio's participation reflects the Trump administration's reorientation toward the Western Hemisphere under what the president has termed the "Donroe Doctrine"—a 21st-century assertion of US primacy in "America's backyard." "We view our security, our prosperity, our stability to be intricately tied to yours," Rubio told regional leaders, "and we are going to evidence in the actions we're prepared to take."