Kim Jong Un Vows to Expand North Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal, Signals Conditional Talks With U.S. 
Trump Touts Stock Market Gains and 401(k) Boost Amid Tariff Uncertainty 
Irish Council Approves Trump Doonbeg Ballroom Plan with Snail Protection Conditions 
Trump’s Iran Nuclear Claims: Missiles, Uranium Enrichment, and Protest Death Toll in Focus 
Democrats Warn Trump’s China Tech Security Pause Threatens U.S. National Security 
Trump Administration Pushes for Permanent Iran Nuclear Deal Amid Rising Tensions 
CIA Posts Farsi Recruitment Message as U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify 
IMF Urges U.S. to Cut Fiscal Deficit to Reduce Trade and Current Account Gaps 
U.S. Blocks Venezuela From Funding Nicolas Maduro’s Legal Defense in New York Drug Trafficking Case 
Australia Launches Royal Commission Into Antisemitism After Bondi Beach Hanukkah Attack 
Trump State of the Union 2026: Economy, Inflation, and Midterm Election Stakes 
House Fails to Pass ROTOR Act After Pentagon Objections, Delaying ADS-B Aviation Safety Mandate 
Democratic Attorneys General Sue Trump Administration Over CDC Childhood Vaccine Schedule Changes 
Venezuela Amnesty Law Frees Nearly 2,200 Prisoners, Says Jorge Arreaza 
Claudia Sheinbaum Confirms Call With Trump After El Mencho Killed in Major Mexico Cartel Raid 
Tommy Robinson Visits U.S. State Department Amid Free Speech Debate 
Albanese Backs Move to Remove Prince Andrew from Line of Succession Amid Ongoing Investigation 
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for stronger cooperation between the United States and Caribbean nations to combat criminal gangs and drug trafficking during a high-level meeting with CARICOM leaders in Saint Kitts and Nevis. His visit comes as regional governments voice growing concerns about the humanitarian and economic impact of Washington’s tightening restrictions on Cuba.
Addressing a closed-door session with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which represents 15 member states and five associate members, Rubio emphasized that the Trump administration is prioritizing the Western Hemisphere after years of limited engagement. He said the U.S. aims to build a “new dynamic” with Caribbean partners, focusing on shared security challenges, including transnational criminal organizations involved in narcotics trafficking.
Rubio acknowledged that many criminal groups operating in the Caribbean acquire weapons from the United States and pledged continued cooperation with U.S. law enforcement agencies to curb illegal arms flows. He also highlighted Washington’s tough stance on gangs in Haiti, signaling expanded regional security collaboration.
While Cuba was not directly mentioned in Rubio’s public remarks, the issue loomed large. The Trump administration has moved to restrict oil shipments to Cuba, intensifying pressure on the island following the January 3 ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a key Cuban ally. However, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it would allow limited sales of Venezuelan oil to Cuba, provided transactions do not benefit the Cuban government or military. Officials described the move as support for the Cuban people, alongside a $9 million humanitarian aid package delivered through the Catholic Church.
Caribbean leaders, including Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew, warned that prolonged instability in Cuba could trigger migration, security, and economic challenges across the region. They called for constructive dialogue between the United States and Cuba to prevent further destabilization and protect regional stability.
