Cayman premier at CARICOM summit as Rubio meets regional heads

At a glance

• Premier André Ebanks is attending CARICOM’s 50th summit in St Kitts
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will address regional leaders at the event
• Talks to cover security, Cuba policy, trade, climate and food security among other issues

Premier André Ebanks is in St Kitts and Nevis this week for CARICOM’s 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, where regional leaders have assembled for what has become one of the most closely watched CARICOM summits in recent years – in large part due to the attendance of United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Rubio’s presence is widely seen as a signal of Washington’s sharpened strategic focus on the Caribbean, coming at a time of mounting geopolitical and economic pressures confronting the region.

The four-day summit started on 24 Feb. and runs through 27 Feb. in Basseterre under the theme ‘Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving, Sustainable CARICOM’. This year’s meeting marks the golden jubilee summit of CARICOM Heads of Government. An estimated 95% of leaders from CARICOM’s 15 member states have confirmed attendance, alongside associate members, including Cayman.

The presence of Rubio – a specially invited guest – has added heightened diplomatic weight to the proceedings. He is scheduled to address the opening plenary session and participate in a high-level engagement with CARICOM heads of government co-chaired by St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and CARICOM Chair Dr. Terrance Drew.

According to the US State Department, Rubio will engage Caribbean leaders to advance shared priorities including strengthening regional security, combating illegal immigration and illicit trafficking, and promoting economic growth, health and energy security.

Rubio’s participation represents the first face-to-face engagement between CARICOM leaders and the Trump administration following last year’s expansion of US military activity in the region. That period saw the January removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and a tightening of US measures against Cuba, moves that have significantly impacted regional dynamics and heightened humanitarian and diplomatic tensions.

Regional leaders are also meeting amid renewed calls from former Caribbean prime ministers – including Trinidad and Tobago’s Keith Rowley and Jamaica’s P.J. Patterson – for the US to lift its embargo on Cuba.

Cayman’s agenda

This marks Cayman’s first participation in the Conference of Heads of Government since Ebanks assumed office as premier. While Cayman was not represented at the 49th Regular Meeting of CARICOM in Montego Bay in July 2025, former Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly attended the 48th Regular Meeting in Barbados in February 2025.

For Ebanks, the summit presents an opportunity to position Cayman more visibly within regional discussions spanning security, trade, food security, climate resilience and foreign policy.

“Building a stronger, fairer Cayman means being a modern, innovative Cayman,” he said, adding, “And this doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens by discussing and working through issues with the beloved people of our Islands, with international stakeholders and certainly, with our regional brothers and sisters with whom we share so much fascinating history, rich heritage, and deeply held values.

“On behalf of Cayman and my NCFC colleagues, I very much look forward to enhancing and maximising Caribbean bonds of fellowship and economic prospects for the benefit of our collective people.”

Cayman has held associate member status in CARICOM since 16 May 2002. As an associate member, the territory participates in dialogue and cooperation but does not have voting rights.

Meanwhile, Bermuda’s Premier David Burt recently announced that his government would seek full CARICOM membership. If successful, Bermuda would become only the second British Overseas Territory to achieve full membership, after Montserrat, which has held that status since 1974. For now, Cayman remains within the associate framework.