The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis confirmed that he was not invited to high-level talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the American official’s recent visit to Jamaica, but rejected the notion that The Trump administration is overlooking The Bahamas.

Mr Davis said he expects to meet with US officials “when it’s convenient for them” and noted that The Bahamas remains open to bilateral discussions.

The meetings in Jamaica, which took place from March 26–27, were part of Mr Rubio’s wider Caribbean tour and included separate sit-downs with key regional leaders such as Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Stuart Young.

The talks came amid threats from the Trump administration to revoke US visas for government officials in countries that participate in Cuba’s medical worker programme, which the US has labelled as “forced labour.”

Mr Davis said he had not been briefed on what was discussed during the meetings in Jamaica, but expected to be updated in due course. He pointed out that Mrs Mottley, as current CARICOM chair, was in attendance, and that Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell recently met with a US State Department representative in Washington.

Mr Rubio’s tour, which includes Guyana and Suriname, reflects the Trump administration’s growing emphasis on regional relations in the Western Hemisphere.

During his meeting with Mrs Mottley, the two reportedly discussed a range of issues, including the potential expansion of a US travel ban to include four Eastern Caribbean countries with Citizenship by Investment programmes. According to the Miami Herald, those nations are among 43 being considered for inclusion in the ban, though they could avoid such measures if they address US concerns.

Mr Rubio reportedly expressed willingness to meet with those countries in the spring.

The US has also praised CARICOM’s efforts to stabilise Haiti amid worsening gang violence and political unrest. According to the US Department of State, Mr Rubio commended Mrs Mottley’s leadership on the matter and expressed interest in further collaboration.

At a joint press conference with Mr Holness in Jamaica, Mr Rubio said the State Department would review travel advisories for Jamaica and other Caribbean nations to ensure they reflect current realities on the ground.

 While tensions have flared over some of the Trump administration’s new policies, The Bahamas has long maintained strong bilateral ties with the US, particularly in areas such as trade, security, tourism, and cultural exchange.

In June 2023, then US Vice President Kamala Harris visited The Bahamas for a summit with CARICOM leaders.