WASHINGTON – This week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit St. Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean nation, as part of an effort to reinforce the Trump administration’s interests in the Western Hemisphere. This visit comes just a month after the U.S. military successfully removed former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from office.
Amid global attention focused on the U.S. military presence in the Middle East and President Donald Trump’s threats against Iran, Rubio’s brief trip to St. Kitts on Wednesday will see him attending a summit of Caribbean Community leaders, as confirmed by the State Department.
Rubio, a staunch advocate for an increased U.S. presence in the Western Hemisphere, is determined to maintain this focus, even as the Trump administration shifts its foreign policy priorities toward Iran. The U.S. military is currently amassing forces there, echoing the buildup prior to the January operation that led to Maduro’s capture and ouster.
The Trump administration’s actions against Maduro, along with its aggressive stance on combating drug trafficking and illegal migration, have stirred concern among some regional players, though they have also garnered support from certain smaller nations.
The strategy adopted by Trump, Rubio, and their allies is reminiscent of the Monroe Doctrine, emphasizing the exclusion of foreign influences and asserting U.S. dominance in what they describe as “America’s backyard.”
President Trump has touted the removal of Maduro, military actions against suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, the seizure of sanctioned oil tankers, and the tightening of the Cuban embargo as integral components of what he dubs the “Donroe Doctrine,” a modern extension of the 19th-century policy.
In numerous group and bilateral meetings at the CARICOM meeting, Rubio intends to discuss ways to promote regional security and stability, trade and economic growth, the State Department said in a statement on Monday.
“During his visit, the Secretary will reaffirm the United States’ commitment to working with CARICOM member states to enhance stability and prosperity in our hemisphere,” it said.
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