AP From Star Tribune

WASHINGTON — The White House says President Donald Trump will meet with leaders of five Caribbean nations on Friday in an effort to strengthen cooperation on security and trade issues.

The meeting at Mar-a-Lago, the president’s Florida resort, will feature the leaders of the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Saint Lucia.

Press Secretary Sarah Sanders says Trump will use the meeting to thank the leaders for their support for peace and democracy in Venezuela.

She says Trump will also discuss potential opportunities for energy investment.

She says the United States remains “a good friend to the Caribbean and seeks to build on a proud legacy as the region’s partner of choice.”

For more on this story go to; http://www.startribune.com/trump-to-meet-with-5-caribbean-leaders-at-mar-a-lago/507381052/

Related story:

USA: Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit with Caribbean Leaders

Issued on: March 19, 2019

President Donald J. Trump will welcome the leaders of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, the Republic of Haiti, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia on Friday, March 22, 2019, for a meeting at Mar-a-Lago.  President Trump’s meeting with the Caribbean leaders will reaffirm our strong friendship with and commitment to these countries, and signal the importance of the Caribbean to the hemisphere.  The President will discuss his vision for our diverse relationships in the Caribbean and the potential opportunities for energy investment.  The President looks forward to working with countries in the region to strengthen our security cooperation and counter China’s predatory economic practices.  The President will use this meeting as an opportunity to thank these countries for their support for peace and democracy in Venezuela.  The United States remains a good friend to the Caribbean and seeks to build on a proud legacy as the region’s partner of choice.

SOURCE: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-visit-caribbean-leaders/