On July 28th 2022, The Honorable Senior Senator for Florida, U.S. House of Representatives, Marco Rubio (R-FL) delivered opening remarks at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for the nominations of U.S. Ambassadors for Latin America and the Caribbean. I took the time to reflect upon the remarks that were delivered, and also the questioning and answering of the nominated candidates. I appreciate your discussion as a renewal of focus for the Latin America, the Western Hemisphere, and the specific regions of: Uruguay, Suriname, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago and Nicaragua (Rubio, 2022).
In matters relating to Uruguay I noted the importance of protecting and maintaining USA and Uruguay relations, and also the need to develop a strategy for strategic partnerships. Suriname presents another example of the already years earlier investments of China within the country. Where borrowing and spending acted as a type of relational investment. As now Suriname is left alone to pick the pieces of debt. It seems like the situation of Suriname is similar to that of Venezuela, where nations such as China utilized oil resources, and are no-longer present in the nation as previous, thus; the effects upon the nation.
But to also reiterate from my previous blog post / academic research / general knowledge / media publications from the Office of Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), I don’t think that a nations people should have to suffer just because it is a nation that is an oil resource nation. The resource is simply naturally present, based upon geography, and should not implicate whether a country is pro-climate change or not.
From the commentary and remarks the needs of these countries, the potential opportunities are clear. I appreciate the selected individuals who are passionate to serve for the appointed positions.
The Senate Foreign hearing title Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean is also connected to the book entitled: “Empire’s Crossroads: A History of the Caribbean from Columbus to the Present Day” (2014). As I have just finished reading the introduction, and taking some time to become familiar with the book. Western Hemispheric regions visited by the author within the contexts of this book are as follows: “Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, St Martin, St Eustatius, St Maarten, St Barts, St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua, Dominica, Martinique, Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, Curaçao, Bonaire, and Aruba (Gibson, 2014, p. xxvi). I appreciate the regional travelling for the purposes of research and gaining an insiders view. Similar to the recent Republican U.S. Senators visit to the U.S. Mexico border.
With respect to the islands / countries located near the U.S. coastal regions and the Caribbean, I appreciated the shared heritage the “Greater Antilles Islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the scattered islets of the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos, and the British Virgin Islands” (2014, p. xxv). To note the ancient links of the islands that can be traced back 50 Million years. Whereas now we see upon maps the scattering appearances of lands, the islands / countries distance from each other has increased, because of rising sea levels. This thought connects to the regional protection, conservations of land and climate.
As with the countries mentioned in the Foreign Relations Nominations Hearing, I reflected upon the countries mentioned and also countries historically grouped together during the time of the Spanish Empire such as: United Provinces of Rio de la Plata, Continent of Republics, Provinces of Central America (Gibson, 2019). I wondered if historical amalgamations were better, and if this is also something that could be considered for U.S. coastal countries, U.S. territories, Americas and the Caribbean? Especially as a way to protect, prevent, reduce or eliminate the risk of natural disasters, and create more effective rapid response to meet the challenges that affect the collective islands / countries.
I would also like to thank the author Carrie Gibson for raising our awareness for the importance of history, as I too appreciate the learning and practical elements of these endeavours. That helps to understand why certain social and political phenomenon occur and re-occur. Given the need for individuals who possess specialist expertise’ specific to countries, regional topics, concerns, and challenges that require our attentiveness.
Thank you Senator Rubio 🍊and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for the nominations hearing of U.S. Ambassadors for Latin America and the Caribbean. 🏝
References:
Gibson, C. (2014). Empire’s Crossroads: The Caribbean from Columbus to the Present Day. Pan Macmillan.
Gibson, C. (2019). El Norte: the epic and forgotten story of Hispanic North America. Atlantic Monthly Press.
Rubio, M. (2022, July 28). Rubio: We Cannot Ignore The Western Hemisphere. Marco Rubio US Senator for Florida. https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2022/7/rubio-we-cannot-ignore-the-western-hemisphere
Related Blog Posts:
- THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND LATIN AMERICA, THE CASE FOR THE AMERICA’S.
- REFLECTION | AMERICA AND THE AMERICAS??
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- Image 2 – Twitter link and handle | .@SenRubioPress .@MsSsHussain
Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on July 31st 2022. All views and opinions are my own and cited as per required. Thank You!
With Love & Kindness! 🇺🇸
{HEART'S, FOREVER!} 
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