Minister Mauro Vieira visits Caribbean Community Member Countries (CARICOM)

From January 21 to 25, Minister Mauro Vieira will visit seven member countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and hold meetings with four international organizations in the region. The trip takes place in preparation for the Brazil-Caribbean Summit, which will be held on June 13 in Brasília, following the meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (June 9–12). The Summit will mark an important milestone in the resumption of dialogue and cooperation with the Caribbean region.

Brazil and the Caribbean share a longstanding history of cooperation, common concerns, and a commitment to promoting peace, integration, and regional development. In 2023, trade between Brazil and the countries to be visited totaled USD 1 billion. The objective is to expand and diversify this exchange to benefit both Brazil and the region, as well as to discuss Brazil’s technical cooperation programs with these partners.

On January 21, the Minister will visit Trinidad and Tobago, where he is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Amery Browne. He will also hold a meeting with the Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Noemí Espinoza Madrid, and sign the Basic Agreement on Technical Cooperation between Brazil and the ACS, which will facilitate the exchange of experiences and the development of joint initiatives. He will then travel to Grenada, where he will meet with Foreign Minister Joseph Andall, and to Saint Lucia, where he is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Alva Baptiste and the Director General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Didacus Jules.

On January 22, the Minister will visit Barbados, where he will meet with Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds, as well as with Acting President Isaac Solomon and President-elect Daniel Best of the Caribbean Development Bank. Following that, he will travel to Antigua and Barbuda, where he will meet with Foreign Minister Paul Chet Greene.

On January 23, the Minister will visit Jamaica to confer with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith. He is also expected to meet with the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, the Brazilian Letícia Carvalho.

On January 24, the Minister will travel to The Bahamas, where he will meet with Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell.

Minister Vieira will also visit Cuba on January 24 to explore possibilities for cooperation in the aftermath of recent natural disasters, including Hurricanes Oscar and Rafael and the earthquake that hit the island in December. Opportunities for expanding and diversifying trade flows with Cuba will also be discussed.