Rubio Warns Caribbean Leaders Against Chinese Influence, Urges Regional Security Reforms
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cautioned Eastern Caribbean and Bahamian leaders to be vigilant against security risks posed by foreign adversaries, specifically naming the Chinese Communist Party, during high-level talks held on Monday.
In a meeting with the heads of government from seven Caribbean nations—including Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and The Bahamas—Rubio underscored the growing threat of drug and firearms trafficking, illegal migration, and external interference, calling for urgent and enhanced regional cooperation.
He pressed leaders to bolster intelligence sharing and border security under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and made a pointed appeal for transparency in the awarding of major infrastructure contracts. Rubio urged governments to ensure their decisions do not leave them exposed to “privacy and security risks and exploitation by malign actors like the Chinese Communist Party.”
The warning comes amid heightened global scrutiny of Chinese investments in critical infrastructure projects across developing nations, including ports, telecommunications, and energy.
Rubio also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to targeting those who facilitate Cuba’s controversial medical missions, labelling them as part of a broader forced labor scheme. He stated that officials involved in such activities, whether Cuban or foreign, would face accountability measures from Washington.
With hurricane season looming, the U.S. announced the reactivation of two assistance programs aimed at improving early warning systems and delivering rapid humanitarian aid across the region.
The meeting brought together Prime Ministers Ralph Gonsalves (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), Roosevelt Skerrit (Dominica), Gaston Browne (Antigua and Barbuda), Philip Davis (The Bahamas), Philip J. Pierre (Saint Lucia), Dickon Mitchell (Grenada), and Terrance Drew (Saint Kitts and Nevis).
The discussions marked a renewed push for U.S.-Caribbean engagement amid geopolitical tensions and growing regional vulnerabilities.
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I am sure that Rubio knows that PM Browne said, if the Chinese wants to colonize us, bring their gifts and come. They are watching us especially hard because of ABLP greed and ease to be “duped”.
Classic friendly neighborhood America, just do the minimum to not rock the boat. I love how much Rubio does do for his parents nation Cuba, He’s show so much love for the nation he is a descendant of.
Secretary Rubio and the Trump administration has issued a stern warning to Caribbean leaders. Choose America or China. You can’t have both. Stand with America or loose US support by virtue of your deepening ties with China. With billions of dollars pouring into the Caribbean from China, the United States views this as a threat to their dominance in the Western Hemisphere and even more importantly, a serious threat to their national security. With the Caribbean being a key battle ground for influence, the US is unhappy with the Caribbean countries closeness to China even as the US is now trying to reassert its control and influence in the region. With China spending bales of money in the Caribbean to build ports, highways, energy projects, residential houses and more, the US is peeved and have read the riot act to the leaders. China or US! Choose now and choose wisely or else. Trust me, we have not heard the last of this.
So America, a country currently descending into fascism and engaging in rampant human rights violations, wants to warn us? Lmao. If America didn’t exist, there wouldn’t be a drug or firearms trafficking problem. They took fentanyl, a hospital drug, and started abusing it, then blamed China, Mexico and Canada for their own self destructive behavior. China’s no saint, but America is the world’s biggest hypocrite. Their time at the top has come to an end. They just don’t know it yet.
Have you ever heard the Chinese leaders talk about immigration, boarder security, law and order, or anything pertaining to labor improvement and human rights to any of these Caribbean so-called partners?
The Chinese are not in the Caribbean for its pristine beaches and warm weather, so what is their motives? Well, we all know those answers, so i hope these Caribbean leaders are not sitting there been gullible as Gatson Browne and his one-sided relationship to foreign powers.
He was already “Duped” by the Africans (admittingly) so let’s choose wisely the devil we want to dance with. We are too small to recover from these blunders treading in murky waters, and we have already seen the hurt with this foolish Pm we have.
The man is no negotiator and is always overestimating his talents as one.
Every country must protect America’s interest even if it is detremental to their own, that seems to be the American doctrine. America continues with its bullying ways, to have a relationship with America it must dictate to you what your foreign policy must look like. How does China relations the Caribbean threaten the security of America. Last time I checked China flies spy balloons over the US at will, China hacks into American systems regularly. Do they need the caribbean islands to carry these activities against America? The answer is no, as China is already anchored on the north American continent.
We value the millions of our people in the US while having not many in China to furnish remittances back home. Also, we have decreasing investment from the US and a lot from China.
At least, we not neglected. Overall, our Caribbean leaders are being nimble. Freedoms are being undermined at home and abroad so no one has the moral high ground. Stay focused on development and who can provide assistance without violating human rights of our people.
I will echo the sentiments that the Caribbean are friends of all & enemies of none.
The Caribbean does not have the resources to stand on its own. Therefore, why get between the big dogs who are fighting against each other?
However, must understand that world does not belong to them alone
TERMS STILL PENDING OUR DEFINITION.
IT IS NOW THE YEAR 2025…
IS cannot be bought ; only defended.