CARICOM leaders will meet virtually to discuss issues such as the situation in Haiti, the Guyana-Venezuela border dispute, and a proposed regional debt swap, coinciding with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s upcoming visit. The meeting reflects concerns over U.S. policies affecting regional cooperation, particularly the Cuban health brigade program.
Leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are set to convene virtually on Friday, just prior to the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Jamaica next Wednesday. Reports suggest that Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Stuart Young discussed the forthcoming meeting extensively with CARICOM chair, Prime Minister Mia Mottley, although details about their agenda and Rubio’s visit remain scarce.
The agenda for the upcoming CARICOM meeting includes critical topics such as the deteriorating situation in Haiti, where criminal gangs are threatening the government, as well as the ongoing Guyana-Venezuela border dispute. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines recently met with leaders in Guyana and Venezuela, cautioning against potential conflict arising from tensions over the disputed Essequibo region. Notably, Gonsalves serves as an interlocutor per the Argyle Agreement signed in December 2023.
In addition to these pressing matters, CARICOM leaders will explore the proposal for a regional debt swap and discuss the implications of U.S. charges on Chinese-built ships destined for American ports. Rubio’s visit to the Caribbean, anticipated before the end of March, underscores the significance of U.S.-CARICOM relations. Previous meetings between U.S. Special Envoy Mauricio Claver-Carone and CARICOM representatives have outlined various regional concerns.
The discussions during Rubio’s visit are expected to cover fundamental issues such as recent announcements regarding the Cuban health brigade system, energy initiatives, economic development, and stability in Haiti. Although not all leaders are likely to attend, the meeting represents a crucial dialogue regarding regional collaboration.
CARICOM countries have expressed strong support for the Cuban health program, emphasizing its substantial benefits. However, Rubio indicated that new U.S. visa restrictions would target individuals implicated in Cuba’s labor export program, particularly regarding medical missions. Notably, Prime Minister Mottley and other CARICOM leaders have signaled their readiness to relinquish U.S. visas to preserve the Cuban health services that have greatly aided their nations.
The upcoming CARICOM meeting is pivotal as it will address pressing regional issues such as the crises in Haiti and the tensions surrounding the Guyana-Venezuela border. The leaders’ discussions also reflect a commitment to regional debt solutions and the implications of U.S. foreign policy on local health services. This meeting will set the stage for a collaborative approach in addressing both immediate and long-term challenges in the Caribbean region.
Original Source: barbadostoday.bb
