News from 2023


Under Secretary Fernandez’s Travel to Canada

Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez is traveling to Toronto, Canada, April 3-4 where he will represent the United States at the U.S.-Canada Summit, hosted by the Eurasia Group and the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Financial Group.


U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction in Latin America: Securing Weapons and Ammunition, Releasing Land, Promoting Environmental Resilience

In Latin America the United States funds physical security and stockpile management programs in Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, and the Caribbean region to improve the security and management of munitions stockpiles, disrupt the diversion and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, and reduce the risk of catastrophic unplanned explosions at munition storage sites


Outcomes of the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council

As we mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action this year, the United States will continue to place its commitment to multilateral engagement and human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy.


Combating Systemic Corruption in Haiti

Today, the United States is taking action to support the people of Haiti and respond to the ongoing instability in the country by imposing visa restrictions and financial sanctions on former President of the Haitian Chamber of Deputies Gary Bodeau for his involvement in corruption.


Secretary Blinken’s Call with Chilean Foreign Minister van Klaveren

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel:


U.S. Welcomes Canada’s Repatriation from Northeast Syria

The United States appreciates Canada’s repatriation today of 14 women and children from displaced persons camps in northeast Syria.


Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Travel to New Orleans, Santo Domingo, and Buenos Aires

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will travel April 10-14 to New Orleans, Louisiana; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic


U.S. – Cuba Migration Talks Held April 12 in Washington

On April 12, U.S. and Cuban officials met in Washington, DC to discuss the implementation of the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords.


Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting on Economic Development in the Dominican Republic

The following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel:



U.S. – Taiwan Working Group Meeting on International Organizations

On April 10, 2023, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) convened representatives of the U.S. Department of State and the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies for consultations in Washington on expanding Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations system and in other international forums.


Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Kerry’s Travel London and Paris

Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will travel to London, United Kingdom, from March 28–29, and to Paris, France, from March 30–31.


Ambassador Van Schaack’s Remarks on the U.S. Proposal to Prosecute Russian Crimes of Aggression

Honorable delegates and colleagues. It is an honor and privilege to address you as the sixth U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice.


Under Secretary Zeya’s Remarks at “Imprisoned Without Just Cause: #FreeThemAll” event hosted by the Lithuanian Embassy

It is wonderful to be here among friends and colleagues. A heartfelt thank you to our Lithuanian partners, including Vice Foreign Minister Adomenas and Ambassador Plepyte, for their generous hospitality.


Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Virtual Panel Session on “A Just and Lasting Peace in Ukraine”

In his first year in office, President Biden launched the summit to look at the future of democracy, which we see is at an inflection point.



Assistant Secretary Geoffrey Pyatt’s Remarks at the Center for the Study of Democracy

A/S Pyatt: Thank you very much, Ognian. It’s wonderful to see everybody, and many, many thanks to CSD for inviting me to be part of this conversation today on an issue that is so important to our transatlantic issues and to our shared interest in the energy transition.


Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Latvian Foreign Minister Rinkevics

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel:


Secretary Blinken’s Travel to Belgium

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Brussels, Belgium, April 3-5, to attend the NATO Foreign Ministerial and the tenth U.S.-EU Energy Council meeting.


Russia’s Arrest of a U.S. Citizen

We are deeply concerned over Russia’s widely-reported detention of a U.S. citizen journalist. We are in contact with the Wall Street Journal on this situation.