U.S. Praises Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica as Key Security Partners, Criticises Venezuela

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly named Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Jamaica among regional partners cooperating with the United States to combat transnational crime, while sharply criticising Venezuela for refusing to work with Washington on security and counter‑narcotics efforts.

Speaking on Friday, 19 December, Rubio said organised criminal groups involved in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and related violence pose the most serious threat to the United States and the wider Caribbean region. He noted that many countries in the region, including Trinidad and Tobago, have chosen to work closely with the U.S. to confront these threats.

By contrast, Rubio accused President Nicolás Maduro’s government of deliberately refusing cooperation and alleged that Venezuelan authorities “openly cooperate with terrorists and criminal elements.” The U.S. has repeatedly raised concerns about the presence of illicit networks operating from Venezuelan territory. Rubio’s comments come amid heightened regional tensions, with Washington maintaining sanctions, monitoring oil shipments linked to Venezuela, and warning of possible action against the Maduro government. He stressed that collective action with cooperative partners is essential to curbing organised crime and maintaining regional stability.