Overview

• Rubio's agenda prioritizes energy diversification, urging Caribbean nations to reduce dependence on Venezuelan oil following new U.S. sanctions and threatened tariffs.
• Discussions with Caribbean leaders include strategies to combat escalating gang violence in Haiti, where a Kenyan-led security mission faces challenges in stabilizing the country.
• Jamaica and other Caribbean nations reject U.S. claims that Cuban medical missions involve forced labor, emphasizing the programs' critical role in regional healthcare.
• Rubio engages with Guyana, highlighting U.S. support for its oil reserves and border security amid tensions with Venezuela over the disputed Essequibo region.
• The U.S. is considering visa restrictions tied to Cuban medical programs, a move Caribbean leaders argue could harm their healthcare systems and economies.