By Zoila Palma: At the 50th Heads of Government Meeting of CARICOM today, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored Washington’s renewed commitment to the Caribbean, describing the region as both personal and strategic.
“In many ways, the Caribbean Basin is home for me,” Rubio said, noting his upbringing in Miami and longstanding engagement with regional issues.
He added that he was “very happy to be in an administration that’s giving priority to the Western Hemisphere after largely being ignored for a very long time,” emphasizing shared “common opportunities” and “common challenges.”
Rubio identified transnational criminal organizations as the region’s most pressing security threat. “We believe that perhaps the most urgent security threat in the region… is the threat of these transnational criminal organizations,” he stated, warning that many possess “funding and power that rival if not exceed that of many of the nation-states that they threaten.”
He pointed to narcotrafficking networks that destabilize transit countries and fuel violence, adding that the United States is working to curb the flow of weapons and has designated certain groups as terrorist organizations.
“Our cooperation will have to grow even deeper and our commitment to it will have to grow even stronger because these groups grow stronger,” Rubio stressed.
On economic development, Rubio highlighted energy as a key area for collaboration. “There are extraordinary opportunities for economic advancement, to work together on issues like energy,” he said, noting that many Caribbean nations are seeking to responsibly develop their natural resources.
He also addressed recent developments in Venezuela, asserting, “Venezuela is better off today than it was eight weeks ago.”
Rubio cited the release of political prisoners and the closure of the Helicoide prison as signs of progress, while maintaining that democratic elections will ultimately be necessary for long-term legitimacy and stability.
Rubio reiterated that regional stability is mutually beneficial.
“Here’s the bottom line: the stronger, the safer, the more prosperous, and the more secure that all of your countries are, the stronger, safer, more secure, and prosperous the United States is going to be,” he declared.
He described his attendance as a “real-world demonstration” of Washington’s intent to reinvigorate longstanding ties, pledging personal engagement in strengthening U.S.–Caribbean relations in the years ahead.
The post International News: U.S. Secretary of State pledges stronger U.S.–Caribbean partnership at CARICOM 50th Heads of Government Meeting appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: At the 50th Heads of Government Meeting of CARICOM today, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored Washington’s renewed commitment to the Caribbean, describing the region as both personal and strategic. “In many ways, the Caribbean Basin is home for me,” Rubio said, noting his upbringing in Miami and longstanding engagement with
The post International News: U.S. Secretary of State pledges stronger U.S.–Caribbean partnership at CARICOM 50th Heads of Government Meeting appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
