In Jamaica, Marco Rubio vows to revisit US travel warning

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday the State Department will re-evaluate its travel warnings for Jamaica and other countries to ensure they reflect real conditions on the ground.

As part of a tour of the Caribbean, Rubio heard complaints from Jamaican officials about the warning for their country, which is heavily dependent on tourism. The current travel warning for Jamaica advises Americans “to reconsider” visiting the country due to high crime rates.

While agreeing to re-look at the travel advisory, Rubio defended the Trump administration’s opposition to a Cuban government program that sends physicians and other medical workers to countries in need of such personnel, including Jamaica.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said his nation had benefitted greatly from the program that the Trump administration claims violates international labor standards and amounts to human trafficking in some instances.

Rubio’s trip will take him from Jamaica to Guyana and Suriname as the administration increasingly turns its attention to the Western Hemisphere. Rubio is also focused on weaning Caribbean countries from their dependence on Venezuelan oil and combating illegal immigration.

President Donald Trump recently announced new sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports. The Republican president has threatened to impose tariffs on goods imported into the U.S. by other countries that buy oil from Venezuela.

On the Jamaica travel warning, Rubio did not promise it would be eased but did say revisions were possible in light of progress the Jamaican government has made in reducing crime.

“We pledged (that) we’re going to go back and reevaluate the travel advisories as they currently stand to ensure that they do reflect the reality of the new numbers and what the numbers show,” Rubio said, noting that Jamaica has “made very impressive progress in your general numbers overall when it comes to the murder rate and so forth.”

Holness said he appreciated Rubio's pledge. “We are committed to working collaboratively to ensure that travel advisories reflect the current realities and promote travel to Jamaica,” he said. “I’m confident that the dialogue initiated today will lead to tangible outcomes.”

Holness also strongly defended the Cuban doctor program and said Jamaica ensured that the physicians and nurses sent by Havana were protected by Jamaican labor laws.

“Let us be clear, the Cuban doctors in Jamaica have been incredibly helpful to us," he said, adding that Jamaica has a shortage of domestic health workers because many have migrated to other countries.

“We ensure that they are treated within our labor laws and benefit like any other worker,” Holness said. “So any characterization of the program by others certainly would not be applicable to Jamaica. We are ensuring that our program complies with all the international laws and standards to which we are a party to.”

American officials have said the programs resemble organized human trafficking because the medical professionals are not paid directly. Latin American leaders have denounced the U.S. position, saying any sanctions imposed for participating would deprive their people of much needed medical assistance.

Ahead of Rubio's trip, Trump’s special Latin America envoy, Maurico Claver-Caron, had suggested that if the leaders the secretary meets on his trip focus on the program it would be a waste of time. But Rubio appeared to acknowledge that at least some participants, including Jamaica, may be complying with international standards.

“They basically operate as forced labor in many places,” Rubio said. “Now there are places that have better labor standards. Perhaps Jamaica is one of those. And that’s fine."

“Every country operates the program differently, and obviously because of our relationship with Jamaica, we’re going to engage with them on that and talk about it further and have a better understanding," he said. “Perhaps none of this applies in the way it’s handled here.”

Another main issue for Rubio will be the situation in Haiti, where a multinational peacekeeping force has been in place for months, struggling to prevent gangs from taking over the country. Rubio on Tuesday spoke with the president of Kenya, which is leading that force, although the State Department account of the call made no reference to Haiti.

Rubio has extended waivers on an overall U.S. foreign aid freeze to continue to fund the security force in Haiti, but it remains unclear how long they will last.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio gives a joint news conference with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the office of the prime minister in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, meets with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, shakes hands with Head of Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council Fritz Jean during a meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seen through the viewfinder of a camera, gives a joint press conference with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the office of the prime minister in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio smiles during a meeting with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Stuart Young at the U.S. embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, shakes hands with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness speak at the end of a joint news conference at the office of the prime minister in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio disembarks a plane as he arrives at Norman Manley International Airport, in Port Royal, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio disembarks a plane as he arrives at Norman Manley International Airport, in Port Royal, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, top right, meets with Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness and delegations at the office of the prime minister in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, meets with Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness, left, and delegations at the office of the prime minister in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness shake hands at the office of the prime minister in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness give a joint news conference at the office of the prime minister in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signs a guest book next to Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, third from left, meets with Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness and delegations at the office of the prime minister in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness and delegations at the office of the prime minister in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at the office of the prime minister in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness shake hands as they pose for photos in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Md. to board a plane for Jamaica on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Md. to board a plane for Jamaica on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Md. to board a plane for Jamaica on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Md. to board a plane for Jamaica on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Md. to board a plane for Jamaica on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

A group of Buddhist monks and their rescue dog are striding single file down country roads and highways across the South, captivating Americans nationwide and inspiring droves of locals to greet them along their route.

In their flowing saffron and ocher robes, the men are walking for peace. It's a meditative tradition more common in South Asian countries, and it's resonating now in the U.S., seemingly as a welcome respite from the conflict, trauma and politics dividing the nation.

Their journey began Oct. 26, 2025, at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Texas, and is scheduled to end in mid-February in Washington, D.C., where they will ask Congress to recognize Buddha’s day of birth and enlightenment as a federal holiday. Beyond promoting peace, their highest priority is connecting with people along the way.

“My hope is, when this walk ends, the people we met will continue practicing mindfulness and find peace,” said the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the group’s soft-spoken leader who is making the trek barefoot. He teaches about mindfulness, forgiveness and healing at every stop.

Preferring to sleep each night in tents pitched outdoors, the monks have been surprised to see their message transcend ideologies, drawing huge crowds into churchyards, city halls and town squares across six states. Documenting their journey on social media, they — and their dog, Aloka — have racked up millions of followers online. On Saturday, thousands thronged in Columbia, South Carolina, where the monks chanted on the steps of the State House and received a proclamation from the city's mayor, Daniel Rickenmann.

At their stop Thursday in Saluda, South Carolina, Audrie Pearce joined the crowd lining Main Street. She had driven four hours from her village of Little River, and teared up as Pannakara handed her a flower.

“There’s something traumatic and heart-wrenching happening in our country every day,” said Pearce, who describes herself as spiritual, but not religious. “I looked into their eyes and I saw peace. They’re putting their bodies through such physical torture and yet they radiate peace.”

Hailing from Theravada Buddhist monasteries across the globe, the 19 monks began their 2,300 mile (3,700 kilometer) trek at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth.

Their journey has not been without peril. On Nov. 19, as the monks were walking along U.S. Highway 90 near Dayton, Texas, their escort vehicle was hit by a distracted truck driver, injuring two monks. One of them lost his leg, reducing the group to 18.

This is Pannakara's first trek in the U.S., but he's walked across several South Asian countries, including a 112-day journey across India in 2022 where he first encountered Aloka, an Indian Pariah dog whose name means divine light in Sanskrit.

Then a stray, the dog followed him and other monks from Kolkata in eastern India all the way to the Nepal border. At one point, he fell critically ill and Pannakara scooped him up in his arms and cared for him until he recovered. Now, Aloka inspires him to keep going when he feels like giving up.

“I named him light because I want him to find the light of wisdom,” Pannakara said.

The monk's feet are now heavily bandaged because he's stepped on rocks, nails and glass along the way. His practice of mindfulness keeps him joyful despite the pain from these injuries, he said.

Still, traversing the southeast United States has presented unique challenges, and pounding pavement day after day has been brutal.

“In India, we can do shortcuts through paddy fields and farms, but we can’t do that here because there are a lot of private properties,” Pannakara said. “But what’s made it beautiful is how people have welcomed and hosted us in spite of not knowing who we are and what we believe.”

In Opelika, Alabama, the Rev. Patrick Hitchman-Craig hosted the monks on Christmas night at his United Methodist congregation.

He expected to see a small crowd, but about 1,000 people showed up, creating the feel of a block party. The monks seemed like the Magi, he said, appearing on Christ’s birthday.

“Anyone who is working for peace in the world in a way that is public and sacrificial is standing close to the heart of Jesus, whether or not they share our tradition,” said Hitchman-Craig. “I was blown away by the number of people and the diversity of who showed up.”

After their night on the church lawn, the monks arrived the next afternoon at the Collins Farm in Cusseta, Alabama. Judy Collins Allen, whose father and brother run the farm, said about 200 people came to meet the monks — the biggest gathering she’s ever witnessed there.

“There was a calm, warmth and sense of community among people who had not met each other before and that was so special,” she said.

Long Si Dong, a spokesperson for the Fort Worth temple, said the monks, when they arrive in Washington, plan to seek recognition of Vesak, the day which marks the birth and enlightenment of the Buddha, as a national holiday.

“Doing so would acknowledge Vesak as a day of reflection, compassion and unity for all people regardless of faith,” he said.

But Pannakara emphasized that their main goal is to help people achieve peace in their lives. The trek is also a separate endeavor from a $200 million campaign to build towering monuments on the temple’s 14-acre property to house the Buddha’s teachings engraved in stone, according to Dong.

The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique taught by the Buddha himself as core for attaining enlightenment. It focuses on the mind-body connection — observing breath and physical sensations to understand reality, impermanence and suffering. Some of the monks, including Pannakara, walk barefoot to feel the ground directly and be present in the moment.

Pannakara has told the gathered crowds that they don't aim to convert people to Buddhism.

Brooke Schedneck, professor of religion at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, said the tradition of a peace walk in Theravada Buddhism began in the 1990s when the Venerable Maha Ghosananda, a Cambodian monk, led marches across war-torn areas riddled with landmines to foster national healing after civil war and genocide in his country.

“These walks really inspire people and inspire faith,” Schedneck said. “The core intention is to have others watch and be inspired, not so much through words, but through how they are willing to make this sacrifice by walking and being visible.”

On Thursday, Becki Gable drove nearly 400 miles (about 640 kilometers) from Cullman, Alabama, to catch up with them in Saluda. Raised Methodist, Gable said she wanted some release from the pain of losing her daughter and parents.

“I just felt in my heart that this would help me have peace,” she said. “Maybe I could move a little bit forward in my life.”

Gable says she has already taken one of Pannakara’s teachings to heart. She’s promised herself that each morning, as soon as she awakes, she’d take a piece of paper and write five words on it, just as the monk prescribed.

“Today is my peaceful day.”

Freelance photojournalist Allison Joyce contributed to this report.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," get lunch Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Aloka rests with Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

A sign is seen greeting the Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Supporters pray with Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Supporters watch Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

A Buddhist monk ties a prayer bracelet around the wrist of Josey Lee, 2-months-old, during the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Bhikkhu Pannakara, a spiritual leader, speaks to supporters during the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Buddhist monks participate in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Buddhist monks participate in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Bhikkhu Pannakara leads other buddhist monks in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Audrie Pearce greets Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Bhikkhu Pannakara, a spiritual leader, speaks to supporters during the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," arrive in Saluda, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," are seen with their dog, Aloka, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)