Rubio Thanks Latvia For Readiness To Engage With Belarus On Illegal Migration

Reform.news Editorial Team · 7 October 2026, 21:54

https://reform.news/en/rubio-thanks-latvia-for-readiness-to-engage-with-belarus-on-illegal-migration/

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States supports Latvia over the situation on its border with Belarus and called illegal migration a serious challenge to the security of the country and the region.

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said this, publishing Rubio’s letter on X.

“We are working closely with the U.S. administration to combat illegal migration and other threats at our border. This strengthens the entire NATO alliance. We thank Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy to Belarus John Coale for their support,” she wrote.

In the letter, Rubio thanked Braže for her contacts with the U.S. team responsible for Belarus-related issues and with Special Envoy John Coale.

“Thank you for your letter expressing concern about the situation on the Latvia-Belarus border. We recognize the serious security challenge that illegal migration poses to Latvia and to regional security.

The United States appreciates your commitment to control your national borders and your willingness to engage with Belarusian authorities on this issue. Thank you for engaging with my team responsible for Belarusian affairs and with Special Presidential Envoy (SPE) for Belarus John Coale. I understand you and SPE Coale had a very productive conversation where you discussed illegal migration,” the secretary of state wrote.

Rubio also called Latvia a reliable U.S. NATO ally and noted its contribution to regional security.

“Latvia is a steadfast NATO ally, and we value Latvia’s contributions to our shared security goals in the region. We also deeply appreciate Latvia’s efforts in the European Union and United Nations to hold the Cuban regime accountable for its bad behavior. I look forward to our continued work on these issues and other matters of mutual concern,” he added.

It was previously reported that on Sept. 17, Coale met in Riga with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže and State Border Guard chief Guntis Pujāts. The parties officially said they discussed the security of Latvia’s eastern border, illegal migration, U.S.-Latvia cooperation, as well as the release of political prisoners in Belarus.

The New York Times reported that one of the topics discussed by Coale with officials in Lithuania and Latvia was the possible transit of Belarusian potash through the Baltic states.