Rubio travels to meet Caribbean leaders as US squeezes Cuba, Venezuela

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold talks with Caribbean leaders on regional security, and efforts to counter migration and drug trafficking in Saint Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday as Washington seeks to ramp up pressure on Cuba’s leaders while seeking to steer Venezuela in the wake of the operation to seize President Nicolas Maduro. “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,” spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement on Monday, referring to the Caribbean Community that comprises 15 member states and five associated members.

Discussions would also cover economic growth, health and energy security, Pigott said. is preventing oil shipments from reaching Cuba, worsening an existing energy shortage, and Trump has urged the island’s communist leaders to reach a deal to ease the growing humanitarian crisis.