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March 21 – March 27

On Tuesday, Secretary Rubio and First Lady Trump will honor the 2025 International Women of Courage awardees for their courage, strength, and leadership in advocating for women and girls.

Here’s what happened at State this week. ⤵️

• ✈️  Secretary Rubio traveled to the Caribbean to strengthen our hemisphere's security, counter transnational crime, and address illegal immigration. 
• 🤝  We welcomed our new Deputy Secretary of State.
• 🏫  During a visit to the Foreign Service Institute, Secretary Rubio spoke with our diplomats in training. 

Promoting a Secure and Prosperous Caribbean

(Official State Department photos by Freddie Everett)

Secretary Rubio traveled to Jamaica, Guyana, and Suriname to advance President Trump’s America First foreign policy. 

🇯🇲 In Kingston, Jamaica, the Secretary held a joint press availability with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness where he discussed:

• Providing foreign aid in a way that is strategically aligned with our foreign policy priorities and the priorities of our host countries.
• Realigning American global trade policy, primarily to reset global trade in a way that's fair to the U.S.
• Supporting efforts to combat crime and empower Jamaican security forces.

He also thanked the U.S. Embassy staff in Jamaica for their hard work and dedication.

🇬🇾 In Georgetown, Guyana, Secretary Rubio and Guyanese President Irfaan Ali discussed economic and energy partnerships, regional security, and defense cooperation. The Secretary also shared why the U.S. cares about the prosperity of Guyana and our regional partners.

🇸🇷 In Paramaribo, Suriname, the Secretary spoke with Surinamese President Santokhi and Foreign Minister Ramdin about Suriname's economic progress, regional security, and opportunities for U.S. investment. They also agreed on the need for transparent elections in May 2025.

Meet the New Deputy Secretary of State

Secretary Rubio meets with Deputy Secretary Landau at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., March 25, 2025. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)

On March 25, we welcomed Christopher Landau as our new Deputy Secretary of State. 

In his first official call with Mexican Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente, the Deputy Secretary affirmed U.S. commitment to a new era of U.S.-Mexico security cooperation.

Stay connected with Deputy Secretary Landau on his official X account: @DeputySecState.

Inside America’s Diplomatic Training Ground

Secretary Rubio visited the Foreign Service Institute, the U.S. government’s premier foreign affairs training provider. For over 70 years, FSI has equipped U.S. diplomats with the tools they need to best serve the American people and represent our country abroad. During his visit, Secretary Rubio spoke with our diplomats in training who are building or expanding their skillsets.  To learn more, follow @FSIatState on X, LinkedIn, or Facebook.

Today's Travel Tips

Even if you're going somewhere you’ve been before, entry requirements, local laws, and safety considerations can change.

Before every international trip, go to travel.state.gov/destination for the latest on:

• Passport validity requirements
• Current travel advisories
• Local laws
• Entry, exit, and visa requirements
• U.S. embassy and consulate contact information

News You May Have Missed

• President Trump reimposed a maximum pressure campaign designed to end Iran's nuclear threat, curtail its ballistic missile program, and stop it from supporting terrorist groups.
• We’ve taken steps to de-escalate the Russia-Ukraine conflict and work to a long and enduring peace. 
• Deportation flights of Venezuelan illegal aliens to their homeland resumed. 
• In last week’s Big Takeaway, Spokesperson Tammy Bruce shared how Secretary Rubio’s diplomacy is making America safer.
• We announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Guatemalan narcotics trafficker Haroldo Waldemar Lorenzana Terraza.
• We commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention, which has made America and the world safer by addressing the threat of biological weapons.
• The U.S. and the Government of Guyana agreed to deepen security cooperation, including countering narcotics trafficking and transnational organized crime.

Looking Ahead

• April 1: International Women of Courage Award Ceremony
• April 3-4: NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
• April 13: World Expo 2025 begins in Osaka, Japan

Note to Our Readers

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