Rubio to address immigration, crime and economic ties during Caribbean visit
KINGSTON, Jamaica — United States (US) Secretary of State, Marco Rubio will engage in discussions on regional cooperation aimed at curbing illegal immigration, combating transnational organised crime and enhancing economic partnerships with Caribbean nations during his upcoming visit to the region.
Also on his agenda is strengthening regional actions to address Haiti’s political and security challenges, according to a brief statement from the US Department of State.
Rubio is set to arrive in Jamaica on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
Confirming that Rubio is scheduled for bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Andrew Holness and other Government officials, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith said: “We are pleased to welcome Secretary Rubio on his first visit to Jamaica. Our countries have a longstanding partnership since our independence and our robust cooperation has been practised at all levels and across critical sectors, including health, agriculture, security, trade and investment. This visit is another opportunity to strengthen collaboration and address the pressing issues that affect our countries and the region.”
Secretary of State Rubio is the fifth US Secretary to visit Jamaica in the past 14 years, following those by Hillary Clinton in January 2010 and June 2011, Rex Tillerson in February 2018, Mike Pompeo in January 2020, and Antony Blinken in May 2024 during his participation in Haiti-related “Kingston Talks” hosted here.
“We believe that significant strides have been made in Jamaica-US relations and that together we will continue to forge a path towards increased collaboration,” Johnson Smith said.
While in Jamaica, Rubio will also hold bilateral engagements with heads of state from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti.