U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on Tuesday with the heads of government from the Eastern Caribbean and The Bahamas to emphasize the need for stronger regional collaboration to address pressing issues like drug and firearms trafficking, illegal migration, and infrastructure security.
Good to meet with seven Prime Ministers from the Caribbean to discuss ways we can strengthen our cooperation to in combating drug and firearms trafficking, forced labor, and illegal immigration — all of which are challenges that contribute to violence and instability in our… pic.twitter.com/1YxTaV6Ppy
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) May 7, 2025
According to a readout shared by Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the meeting focused on boosting cooperation through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, with Secretary Rubio urging greater intelligence-sharing, improved border security, and reinforced security ties across the region.
In a pointed message, Secretary Rubio also encouraged Caribbean leaders to ensure transparency and due diligence when selecting vendors for critical infrastructure projects. He warned against vulnerabilities to privacy and exploitation risks posed by malign foreign actors, specifically highlighting the Chinese Communist Party.
The Secretary also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to holding Cuban regime officials and others accountable for their involvement in forced labor operations, including Cuba’s controversial overseas medical missions.
With the Atlantic hurricane season less than a month away, Rubio announced the reactivation of two U.S.-administered emergency response programs. These initiatives aim to bolster early warning systems and ensure rapid humanitarian assistance throughout the Caribbean in the event of natural disasters.
Attendees included a high-profile group of regional 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.
The meeting underscored growing U.S.-Caribbean engagement and a shared commitment to tackling security challenges and fostering responsible development across the region.
