The United States administration has labeled the Caribbean as the nation’s “third border,” emphasizing its strategic importance in countering drug flow, illegal migration, and China’s expanding influence. The way the State Department is implementing those provisions under Secretary of State Marco Rubio is facing backlash. The purpose has remained on countering Cuban and Venezuelan influence. In the midst of this, urgent crises such as climate change, growing inequality, and the deteriorating state of Haiti are being ignored.
US policy in the Caribbean has been criticized as being more focused on punishment than reward. A 25% tariff awaits all products coming from any country that purchases Venezuelan oil. This outrageous threat would increase energy prices throughout the entire region. Under President Donald Trump’s administration, foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere is being scrutinized with an emphasis on aligning with national interests.
“When President Donald Trump came into office, he committed to ensuring our foreign policy aligned with our nation’s interests. To realize his vision, we are putting our region, the Americas, first,” – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Migration, drug smuggling, and human trafficking have all been priorities of the Trump administration. Behind the scenes, Latin American diplomats are sounding alarm bells. They are deeply alarmed by the increasingly dangerous pressure the US is ratcheting up on their countries. This necessitates billions of dollars being diverted from USAID funding to the region, which has especially angered regional leaders.
The US sanctions centered on Cuba’s medical programs around the world have faced pushback from numerous Caribbean and Latin American leaders. In this context, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has recently stressed the life-saving importance of Cuban doctors to Jamaica’s public healthcare system.
“Jamaica has a deficit in health personnel primarily because many of our health personnel have migrated to other countries. We are, however, very careful not to exploit the Cuban doctors who are here,” – Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness
“In terms of Cuban doctors in Jamaica, let us be clear, the Cuban doctors in Jamaica have been incredibly helpful to us,” – Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness
If the US is able to achieve a clean break of oil markets to Venezuela, Cuba is by far the biggest winner. That’s because Caracas is expected to significantly increase oil exports to the island nation. As energy analyst Jorge Piñón testified, this allows Venezuela to avoid falling behind on the production they have already lost.
“Even though Venezuela does not get hard currency from Cuba it provides them with an outlet to keep current production levels,” – Jorge Piñón (energy analyst)
“I will not be surprised if we see an increase of Venezuelan oil deliveries to Cuba in the following months as this would keep Venezuela’s oil production flowing,” – Jorge Piñón (energy analyst)
