Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has held bilateral discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in St Kitts and Nevis.

Persad-Bissessar was joined at the meeting by Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers, along with the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Rubio is expected to hold a series of meetings with other regional leaders while attending the CARICOM summit.

In a statement on February 23 announcing Rubio’s trip to the Caribbean, US Secretary of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said: “Secretary Rubio will engage with Caribbean leaders to advance shared priorities, including strengthening regional security, deepening cooperation to combat illegal immigration and illicit trafficking, and promoting economic growth, health, and energy security across the Caribbean. 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.”

Regional leaders are expected to discuss several major issues with the US delegation, including the acceptance of third country nationals, air strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, developments in Venezuela and the political crisis in Haiti.