Rubio says he is putting ‘Americas, first’ but the Cuba fixation might drive neighbors away

CNN - Mar 30th, 2025

The Trump administration has intensified its focus on Latin America and the Caribbean, targeting issues like drug smuggling, illegal migration, and China's growing influence. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has labeled the Caribbean as America's 'third border,' emphasizing a regional policy shift. This approach has drawn criticism from regional leaders who feel pressured by the US, particularly as the administration reduces USAID funding while increasing sanctions. Rubio's recent trip highlighted a tough stance, with potential sanctions on countries employing Cuban medical personnel, described as forced labor by Rubio.

This US policy shift has broader implications for regional stability and diplomatic relations. Many Latin American and Caribbean leaders are concerned about the focus on opposing Cuban and Venezuelan influence, overshadowing critical issues like climate change and inequality. The threatened sanctions against Cuba have sparked resistance, with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness defending the use of Cuban doctors. Additionally, the focus on Venezuela could inadvertently aid Cuba by redirecting Venezuelan oil, countering US intentions and complicating regional energy dynamics.

Trump Administration Latin America China Influence Us Foreign Policy Marco Rubio Venezuela Sanctions Migration Usaid Cuba Caribbean Drug Smuggling

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RATING

5.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely examination of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on the Trump administration's approach. It highlights critical issues such as migration, drug smuggling, and geopolitical tensions with Cuba and Venezuela. However, the article's accuracy is undermined by a lack of direct citations and evidence to support its claims, particularly regarding USAID funding cuts and the characterization of Cuban medical programs.

While the article effectively conveys the concerns of regional leaders, it lacks balance by not including perspectives from U.S. officials or supporters of the policy. This omission may affect its credibility and limit its impact on public opinion. The absence of named sources and transparent methodology further detracts from the article's reliability.

Despite these weaknesses, the article remains relevant and accessible, addressing issues of public interest with clarity. Its potential to provoke debate and engage readers is moderate, but could be enhanced with more comprehensive sourcing and balanced viewpoints. Overall, the article raises important questions about U.S. foreign policy but requires further verification and context to fully assess its implications.

Accuracy

The article makes several factual claims that require verification. For instance, it states that the Trump administration has cut billions in USAID funding to Latin America and the Caribbean, which is a significant claim needing specific data support. Additionally, the article mentions that the U.S. refers to the Caribbean as its 'third border,' a statement that should be cross-verified with official government communications. The claim about Cuban medical programs being labeled as 'forced labor' also requires evidence from reliable sources to confirm its accuracy. While the narrative aligns with known U.S. foreign policy trends, the lack of direct citations or references weakens the overall accuracy.

Balance

The article presents a predominantly critical view of the Trump administration's policies towards Latin America and the Caribbean. It highlights the grievances of regional leaders and the potential negative impacts of U.S. actions. However, it lacks representation of perspectives from U.S. officials or supporters of the policy, which could provide a more balanced view. The article could benefit from including more diverse viewpoints to avoid seeming one-sided.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it relatively easy for readers to follow the narrative. It logically progresses from discussing the U.S. administration's policies to the reactions of Latin American and Caribbean leaders. However, the tone could be perceived as slightly biased due to the lack of balanced perspectives, which may affect the neutrality of the information presented.

Source quality

The article does not cite specific sources for its claims, which affects its credibility. It references statements from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, but these are not directly quoted or attributed to a reliable source. The absence of named sources or documents supporting the claims made about U.S. policy and its impacts diminishes the article's reliability.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency regarding its sources and the basis for its claims. It does not disclose how information was obtained or if there is any potential conflict of interest affecting the reporting. The lack of context or explanation of the methodology used to gather information makes it difficult for readers to assess the impartiality of the article.