Some Jamaicans have been very skeptical about the visit of the US Secretary of State to Jamaica, Guyana, and Suriname. One of the official reasons for the Secretary of State to visit several islands is because it is believed that meeting officials face-to-face and being in the countries gives a better feel of things.
I have heard commentators on the radio stating that the US does not care for Caribbean people. It is not a matter of caring; it is a matter of national interest. Whatever the US wants to do or say, the Caribbean region cannot be ignored. I don't think we will be annexed to the US.
This Wednesday and Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Jamaica, Guyana, and Suriname. While in Jamaica, the Secretary will also meet bilaterally with heads of state from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti.
US leaders know that when the Caribbean region prospers, the US also prospers. It is not in the interest of the US to have economically challenged countries as their neighbours. Haiti is proving to be a headache now for the US and the Caribbean region. Years ago, Jamaica posed serious challenges for the US and other countries when the country was going through a civil war in the 1970s and 80s.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is aware that many Americans have deep connections to the Caribbean and that many Americans live in the Caribbean. Millions travel to the Caribbean to vacation. They are our trading partners. He has Caribbean connections, and so do other US political and business leaders.
I was shocked to hear a very simplistic approach to looking at the relationship between the Caribbean and the USA by intellectuals on one radio station. This is not about caring. It is neither a paternal nor a maternal relationship. It is a very complex relationship embedded in our history, political, sociological, and economic relationships. This cannot be wiped out with the casual wind coming from anyone's mouth.
Many see the visit of Marco Rubio as being about Cuban doctors working here. It is a very simplistic view for anyone to believe that this visit is all about Cuban doctors working in Jamaica. Some are even claiming that the Prime Minister might sell us out. I don't think the Cuban doctors issue is at the centre of PM Holness' mind. PM Andrew Holness could not even dream of telling the Cuban doctors to pack their bags and go home. He might do so, if the US were replacing Cuban doctors with US doctors at a cheaper rate.
It is interesting to note that in a meeting of US officials to discuss the Secretary of State's visit, the Caribbean was described as the US's third border. Marco Rubio has much to discuss. There is the challenge of narcotics, international criminals, the Caribbean as a shipping route, dealing with energy, and other things. Will he remember the Cuban doctors? More anon on that one.
Let us welcome Marco Rubio and his official delegation to our beautiful island. We must understand that Trump or no Trump, the US is our neighbour and our friend, although we do not always agree with them. Don't forget, President Trump will not have eternal life.
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