U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Addresses Caribbean Concerns Amid Venezuelan Oil Sanctions

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Jamaica on Wednesday to begin a tour aimed at reducing Caribbean nations’ dependence on Venezuelan oil and addressing illegal immigration. Rubio’s visit comes amid new sanctions announced by President Donald Trump targeting Venezuelan oil exports.

During a meeting with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Rubio acknowledged the country’s reliance on tourism and discussed potential revisions to travel warnings that currently advise U.S. citizens to reconsider visiting Jamaica due to high crime rates.

“We pledged to reevaluate the travel advisories as they currently stand to ensure they reflect the reality of the new numbers,” Rubio stated, noting significant improvements in Jamaica’s crime statistics.

Prime Minister Holness welcomed the possible adjustments, emphasizing the importance of accurately reflecting Jamaica’s safety in travel advisories to bolster tourism. “We are committed to working collaboratively to ensure that travel advisories reflect the current realities and promote travel to Jamaica,” Holness said.

Rubio’s Caribbean tour will also take him to Guyana and Suriname, where he aims to advocate for diversifying energy supplies in light of the U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil. The sanctions are part of a broader strategy to reduce Venezuelan influence in the region.

In addition to energy concerns, Rubio is expected to address the political and security situation in Haiti, where a multinational peacekeeping force has been deployed amid rising gang violence. The U.S. has extended waivers on foreign aid freezes to support the security force in Haiti, although the timeline for these waivers remains uncertain.

“Haiti’s challenges are significant, and we must work collectively to address them,” Rubio remarked. His discussions with Caribbean leaders will also focus on illegal immigration trends from the region to the U.S.

As the Trump administration shifts its foreign policy focus more sharply towards the Western Hemisphere, the implications of these conversations are expected to resonate beyond the meeting rooms. With the Caribbean increasingly navigating its relationship with Venezuela, the U.S. aims to position itself as a reliable partner in energy and security.

Rubio’s visit marks a critical moment in U.S.-Caribbean relations, with potential long-lasting effects on the regional geopolitical landscape.