Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes

The United States congratulates Argentina as it begins its presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. At a time of rising Holocaust distortion and denial, IHRA's leadership is vital. We commend President Milei’s commitment to sharing truth and honoring survivors.

I just held a productive meeting with Former British Prime Minister Theresa May to discuss her work with the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. Human trafficking remains a major national security threat, whether connected to migration, supply chains, or fueling online scams. Looking forward to deeper collaboration with our European allies on this front.

Today I designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. For decades the Iranian regime has cruelly detained innocent Americans and citizens of other nations to use as political leverage. Iran must end this abhorrent practice and immediately free all unjustly detained Americans.

The U.S. is sanctioning five Nicaraguan government officials who have incited regional instability and violently repressed the Nicaraguan people for nearly two decades. The Trump Administration is committed to addressing all threats to U.S. national security in our hemisphere and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Nicaragua.

The U.S. condemns the Hong Kong court's sentencing of Kwok Yin-Sang, father of U.S.-based activist Anna Kwok, and calls for his immediate release. The targeting of individuals who advocate for basic freedoms in Hong Kong and their families is unacceptable.

As @SecRubio said, human trafficking is a horrific and devastating crime that also enriches transnational criminal organizations and immoral, anti-American regimes. Strengthen the 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report by sharing info and data on government practices, emerging trends, and anti-trafficking strategies. state.gov/how-to-submit-…

@StateSEAS @StateSEAS it was an incredible event. Thank you for hosting!

Thank you to the more than 80 ambassadors, U.S. officials, and Jewish community leaders who gathered on Friday night for a traditional Shabbat dinner at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. After Thursday’s historic meeting of the Board of Peace, I can’t think of a better place to celebrate dialogue and friendship for Jews, Muslims, Christians, and people of all faiths.

For 70 years, the Cuban people have suffered under a brutal regime that has stripped them not only of their political and civil rights, but of any semblance of economic opportunity. The regime has purposefully kept the country destitute to preserve its total control. As @SecRubio said last week, the only way forward is for the regime to give the Cuban people the economic freedom to provide for themselves. Thank you @Camila_Cabello for highlighting the humanitarian work of Caritas, who over the last few weeks has been our partner in delivering the largest direct U.S. humanitarian response in Cuba in decades. The U.S. will continue to support and stand with the Cuban people 🇺🇸 🇨🇺

The U.S. is committed to supporting the unalienable human rights and aspirations of Tibetans to celebrate their unique culture, language, and religion without fear of interference. As U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, I was honored to host the State Department’s 2026 Losar Celebrations.

Today, the U.S. sanctioned three leaders of the Rapid Support Forces, which has committed atrocities against civilians in Sudan and blocked aid to El Fasher. @POTUS is committed to achieving lasting peace and ending the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. state.gov/releases/offic…

Today I’m designating Nicaraguan Prison Director Roberto Clemente Guevara Gómez for his involvement in gross violations of human rights. We continue to call for accountability for the crimes committed by the Murillo-Ortega dictatorship and urge for the immediate, unconditional release of all unjustly detained political prisoners in Nicaragua.

Honored to serve in this role.

Our destiny is and will always be intertwined with Europe. This is why President Trump demands seriousness and reciprocity from them. @SecRubio

Under President Trump, America will once again take on the task of renewal and restoration. It is our hope to do this together with our friends in Europe.

SECRETARY RUBIO: We are bound together by the deepest bonds nations could share, forged by centuries of shared history, and the sacrifices our forefathers made together for the common civilization. We are all part of one civilization: Western civilization.

Last week, I was honored to visit the @WhiteHouse and meet an inspiring group of persecuted Christians to hear their stories. DRL and the Trump Administration will always stand up for our fellow Christians who are increasingly persecuted around the world. Many thanks to the White House Faith Office for organizing this gathering.

Tune in to watch SBO Pratt and @StateDRL Jacob McGee testify before the HFAC Africa subcommittee on President Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. foreignaffairs.house.gov/committee-acti…

Following up on my recent visit to Seoul, I was delighted to open the first bilateral U.S.-Republic of Korea Business Travel and Visa Working Group. 🇺🇸 welcomes and encourages investment that supports American reindustrialization and strengthens the U.S.-ROK Alliance and our collective prosperity.

@StateDeptCT addressing @UN_OCT at the Iraq-hosted Repatriation Conference: We must act urgently to reduce the populations of ISIS detainees and al-Hol and Roj displacement camps in northeast Syria. Half of the 29,000 residents in the camps are children. All nations must take responsibility for their nationals to ensure justice and rehabilitation and increase the security of nations.