Rubio Prioritizes Energy, Migration on Caribbean Trip/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Jamaica, Guyana, and Suriname this week to promote energy independence from Venezuela and address regional security, especially in Haiti. The trip follows Trump’s announcement of new oil sanctions and looming tariffs. Rubio is also expected to confront illegal immigration and defend U.S. policies on Cuba.
Rubio Caribbean Tour Quick Looks
- Rubio heads to Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname for regional talks.
- Focuses on shifting Caribbean nations away from Venezuelan oil.
- Visit follows Trump’s fresh sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports.
- 25% tariff set for countries importing Venezuelan oil by April 2.
- Rubio to discuss regional response to Haiti’s growing gang violence.
- Peacekeeping in Haiti backed by U.S. waivers despite aid freeze.
- Energy security described as “historic opportunity” for the region.
- U.S. defends sanctions on Cuba’s medical export programs.
Rubio Prioritizes Energy, Migration on Caribbean Trip
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Trump administration deepens its focus on the Western Hemisphere, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is heading to the Caribbean this week with a dual mission: urge nations to reduce dependence on Venezuelan oil and coordinate on regional security threats, particularly in Haiti.
Rubio’s three-country tour — Jamaica, Guyana, and Suriname — begins Wednesday. It follows a string of bold moves from President Donald Trump, who this week unveiled new sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports and vowed to impose 25% tariffs on all goods from countries that continue to buy Venezuelan oil, starting April 2.
The trip reflects what officials describe as a “historic opportunity” to reshape regional energy dynamics and solidify U.S. partnerships amid rising instability in Haiti and concerns about migration.
Venezuela, Energy, and Sanctions Strategy
A top goal for Rubio is to encourage energy diversification, particularly as Guyana and Suriname emerge as growing oil producers, increasingly outpacing crisis-hit Venezuela.
“Guyana and Suriname surpassing Venezuela in oil production presents a huge opportunity,” said Mauricio Claver-Carone, Trump’s special envoy for the Western Hemisphere.
Claver-Carone said the Caribbean has long suffered from high energy costs, hindering economic growth. Rubio will promote U.S. support for new energy infrastructure and regional cooperation to build energy independence from authoritarian regimes.
“Energy security has been the Achilles’ heel of the Caribbean,” he said. “This trip is about reversing that and building resilient, lasting partnerships.”
While Trump’s tariff threat appears aimed at pressuring foreign governments to drop Venezuelan imports, the U.S. Treasury Department simultaneously extended a waiver allowing Chevron to continue importing Venezuelan oil until May.
Haiti: An Urgent Regional Security Crisis
Rubio’s visit also comes amid deepening chaos in Haiti, where a Kenyan-led peacekeeping force, backed by U.S. funding, is struggling to prevent criminal gangs from taking control of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
While Rubio’s office has issued waivers to keep aid flowing to the mission despite an overall foreign aid freeze, U.S. officials have offered few details on a long-term strategy for Haiti.
“The challenge, obviously, is Haiti,” Claver-Carone acknowledged. “The goal is to ensure these gangs don’t take over Port-au-Prince or expand beyond it.”
Rubio’s team has remained tight-lipped on specific policy proposals for Haiti, but the State Department characterized the trip as an opportunity to “inject urgency” into regional planning and coordination.
Cuba Sanctions: A Familiar Flashpoint
Another topic expected to surface during Rubio’s meetings is U.S. sanctions on Cuba, particularly measures that restrict Cuban medical missions in the region. The U.S. has accused the Cuban government of trafficking medical workers, as the doctors are not paid directly for their labor.
Regional leaders have condemned the sanctions, arguing that they deprive countries of much-needed health care, especially in rural areas. But the Trump administration remains firm.
“If they choose to overshadow this trip with the issue of Cuban doctors, it’ll be a lost opportunity,” Claver-Carone said. “The real priorities are energy security and Haiti.”
Looking Ahead
Rubio’s trip marks one of the most high-profile U.S. diplomatic efforts in the Caribbean since the Trump administration returned to office. With energy policy, economic development, and security converging in the region, officials say the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“This is about building stability in our neighborhood,” Claver-Carone added. “We want strong, prosperous neighbors who aren’t beholden to autocrats.”
Whether Rubio can deliver actionable solutions on energy or push forward Haiti stabilization plans remains to be seen, but his visit signals that the Western Hemisphere is back in focus for U.S. foreign policy.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.