US ready to partner with CARICOM energy producers, sees role for Venezuela

Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, 21:02 by Writer

United States (US) Secretary of State, Marco Rubio on Wednesday told Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders that the American government was ready to work with Caribbean energy producing nations to help them reap the benefits of those resources, and he also envisaged a future role for Venezuela in supplying the region with fossil fuels.

Mr Rubio, who travelled to St Kitts to meet with CARICOM leaders on Wednesday, said there were “extraordinary opportunities” for economic advancement, to work together on issues like energy.

“Many of the countries represented here today have energy resources that I know you seek to explore responsibly, safely, but in a way that generates wealth and prosperity for your people and your countries, and we want to be your partner in that regard,” he was quoted as saying in a State Department transcript of his remarks to regional leaders.

Apart from the century-old Trinidad and Tobago oil and gas sector, Guyana and Suriname are emerging major oil and gas producers in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Grenada is also advancing plans to forge ahead with resuming oil exploration.

The US Secretary of State also said that as the political and economic conditions improve in Venezuela, the Trump administration envisaged that that South American nation could play an important role in the Caribbean’s energy demand.

As part of the overall transition of Cuba, Mr Rubio said the US wants to see fair, democratic elections. “I say all this to you because ultimately we do believe that a prosperous, free Venezuela who’s governed by a legitimate government who has the interests of their people in mind could also be an extraordinary partner and asset to many of the countries represented here today in terms of energy needs and the like, and also one less source of instability in the region,” he said.

Without naming any of the 15 CARICOM member states, he said since the removal of President Nicolás Maduro from office in early January, Venezuela has shown marked improvements.

He praised the “interim authorities” led by acting President Delcy Rodriguez for releasing political prisoners, closing Venezuela’s infamous El Helicoide prison and generating oil revenue that’s going to the benefit of Venezuelans.

Mr Rubio said some of the money was being used to pay government workers and purchase much-needed medical equipment.

“Irrespective of how some of you may have individually felt about our operations and our policy towards Venezuela, I will tell you this, and I will tell you this without any apology or without any apprehension: Venezuela is better off today than it was eight weeks ago,” he said.

Several Eastern Caribbean nations enjoyed close relations with the Maduro administration bilaterally and through the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).