US-CARICOM Relations: A New Era of Cooperation

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Stuart Young following their talks in Jamaica last month

Introduction to US-CARICOM Relations

WASHINGTON, CMC – United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signaled a genuine willingness to hear the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) speak for itself. At a moment when his diplomatic files stretch across numerous crisis zones, that attention is neither trivial nor routine.

Barely three months into his tenure, Secretary Rubio has already conferred with six CARICOM Heads of Government and will host seven more in Washington on May 6. Such early, sustained engagement signals that the region’s counsel carries weight. In diplomacy, there is no substitute for dialogue, especially when new policies are being cast. These meetings, therefore, are vital.

Recent Developments in US-CARICOM Relations

Secretary Rubio began his Caribbean circuit in Jamaica on March 26, consulting with the Prime Ministers of Barbados, Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. The next day, he met Presidents Irfaan Ali in Guyana and Chandrikapersad Santokhi in Suriname. The itinerary now moves to welcoming the leaders of the six independent Eastern Caribbean states and The Bahamas.

When Secretary Rubio met Caribbean leaders on March 26–27, the White House had not yet unveiled the sweeping tariff order issued on April 3 by President Donald Trump. As a result, neither the immediate blow to regional exports nor the wider shockwaves of Washington’s global tariffs could be weighed. The tariffs—and their direct and indirect impact on Caribbean economies—will undoubtedly be addressed when the leaders meet Secretary Rubio in Washington on May 6.

The Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) and Tariffs

Central to that conversation is the fate of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI)—President Reagan’s legacy program—formalized in the 1983 Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), which has long granted duty-free entry to a wide range of CARICOM exports.

The new tariffs announced on April 3 cast a shadow over those preferences; no one yet knows whether CBERA’s hard-won relief survives intact or has been diminished by the flood of duties.

Key Issues in US-CARICOM Relations

Tariffs are only the first set of concerns that should be discussed on May 6. The agenda could also confront US allegations that Cuban medical personnel in CARICOM are “trafficked,” a claim CARICOM governments vigorously dispute; Washington’s unease over China’s growing role in the development plans of nine CARICOM members—balanced by the fact that three of the seven leaders arriving in Washington recognize Taiwan; the treatment and due process rights of CARICOM nationals in the US who may face deportation for violating visa conditions or committing criminal offenses; and the future of Citizenship by Investment programs, which have been lifelines for five Eastern Caribbean economies.

Cuban Medical Personnel and Trafficking Allegations

On the matter of Cuban workers in CARICOM countries, Secretary Rubio can expect a firm and united repudiation of any suggestion that trafficking is taking place under the watch of Caribbean governments.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica has already stated that Cuban workers in CARICOM are well treated, fairly compensated, and enjoy complete freedom.

China and Taiwan’s Role in the Region’s Development

Regarding China and Taiwan’s role in the region’s development, Secretary Rubio will find no quarrel among CARICOM states about which partner a government engages—Beijing or Taipei. Each nation acts in pursuit of its national interest, driven by the imperative of economic survival and the search for meaningful international support. What unites CARICOM is a collective stake in global peace, shared prosperity, and the benefits of cooperation.

Citizenship by Investment Programs and National Security

Concerning the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs operated by five Eastern Caribbean states, leaders will remind Secretary Rubio that these initiatives are essential to their economic viability. Moreover, Caribbean CBI programs are already closed to nationals from countries that raise red flags for US authorities. Critically, citizenship in these states does not confer automatic access to the U.S. Every individual—regardless of how or where they obtained their Caribbean passport—remains fully subject to US visa and homeland security vetting.

CARICOM countries have proven themselves steadfast and cooperative, whether through intelligence-sharing, maritime security, or counter-narcotics efforts. In every respect, the region has functioned as a committed ally.

Conclusion

What Secretary Rubio will hear from every CARICOM leader is a shared resolve to preserve and deepen their partnership with the US. This is not a relationship of convenience but of choice -anchored in the urgent, hemispheric challenges we face together. Diseases and pandemics do not stop at customs gates; organized crime, including the drug trade, corrodes our societies with equal menace; climate-induced disasters batter our countries with increasing ferocity. And yet, amid these trials, there is a real opportunity to build resilient, prosperous societies that are magnets for investment, hubs of tourism, and engines of shared growth.

Hopefully, May 6 will stand as a further milestone in the renewal and strengthening of US–CARICOM relations—a moment when mutual interests are acknowledged, mutual respect reaffirmed, and a shared commitment to partnership charted with clarity and conviction.

*Sir Ronald Sanders is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. He is also the Dean of the Ambassadors of the Western Hemisphere Group accredited to the US. The views expressed are entirely his own)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the significance of Secretary Rubio’s meetings with CARICOM leaders?

The meetings signify a genuine willingness to hear the Caribbean Community speak for itself and acknowledge the region’s counsel carries weight in diplomacy.

What are the key issues to be discussed during the meetings?

The key issues include tariffs, the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), US allegations of trafficking of Cuban medical personnel, China and Taiwan’s role in the region’s development, Citizenship by Investment programs, and national security concerns.

What is the future of US-CARICOM relations?

The future of US-CARICOM relations is expected to be strengthened through mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared commitment to partnership, addressing common challenges and opportunities in the region.