Tapia defends US-Ja security ties

United States ambassador to Jamaica, Donald Tapia, came out swinging yesterday, insisting that the relationship between Jamaica and his country remained strong.

His comments follow a revamp of a pact inked in 2004 that allowed the US to eavesdrop on telephone calls to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal operations.

Tapia, who recently took up the post, broke his silence on the issue of security cooperation between Jamaica and the US after it was revealed by The Sunday Gleaner that the arrangement had been suspended.

Following that disclosure, National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang told Parliament on Tuesday that a new arrangement had been signed on October 23, replacing the one inked by Dr Peter Phillips in secrecy, which later generated controversy when it came to public knowledge.

“The United States continues to value its long-standing security cooperation with Jamaica. As ambassador, my commitment is to work with the Jamaican Government to expand our partnership in the area of security,” Tapia tweeted yesterday.

“Though there are those who may not welcome this strong relationship and seek to dismantle it with false quotes and narratives, as President Trump’s rep in [the] country, I share his desire to continue our strong bilateral cooperation and support Jamaica’s role as a regional leader,” Tapia added, without specifying the source of his angst.

In response to Tapia, Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith tweeted: “We highlight the value of our security cooperation with the US and appreciate the increased energy you are bringing to this area.”