WASHINGTON, June 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department's top official on Latin America has promised Caribbean leaders he would be in the region in coming months.
Thomas Shannon, assistant secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere, told leaders from 15 Caribbean nations of his plans, following meetings in Washington aimed at bolster trade ties, combating drug trafficking and improving security in the region, The Miami Herald reported Friday.
"Follow through is essential," said Shannon.
During a meeting this week -- the first in a decade between a U.S. president and leaders from the region -- President George W. Bush told the leaders he would work with Congress to update the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Act, which regulates trade between the United States and 15 Caribbean nations, the newspaper said.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also met with her Caribbean counterparts from the Caribbean Community, also known as CARICOM.
