US-Jamaica ties ‘solid as ever’
Ambassador hails successful collaboration in fight against crime
Published:Monday | July 3, 2023 | 12:57 AMSashana Small/Staff Reporter
The United States’ (US) lead diplomat in Jamaica has lauded the progress made by the two countries as they continue to collaborate in the fight against crime.
In doing so, US Ambassador to Jamaica Nick Perry last Friday night outlined the extradition of more than two dozen individuals wanted in the North American nation and the millions of US dollars being pumped into programmes to combat gunrunning, scamming, and drug and human trafficking.
Addressing the US Embassy in Kingston’s celebration of that nation’s 247th anniversary of the declaration of independence on Friday, Perry hailed Jamaica for being a consistent US ally.
“Today, we not only celebrate America’s independence, we also reaffirm the enduring bilateral relationship that unites our two nations,” Perry declared at the event, held days before US Independence Day, which will be officially recognised tomorrow.
The US ambassador noted that the mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries has yielded much progress in crime-fighting efforts.
“Together, we collaborate to stop the rise of crime in the region - murders, scamming, smuggling guns, trafficking in drugs and even including children,” he said.
Perry shared that 29 criminals were extradited to the US from Jamaica to face justice in American courts.
Additionally, he said that the security of the Western Hemisphere was at the forefront of the Caribbean Nations Security Conference which was recently convened in Jamaica.
United and committed
He also pointed to the US law enforcement’s assistance in the seizure of 81 illegal firearms at the Montego Bay wharf in February.
“Together we are united and committed to ultimately make every day brighter and better for this region – this neighbourhood that is America’s front yard,” he said.
Meanwhile, Perry highlighted the US$6.7-million investment in the US-Jamaica Child Protection Compact to combat child trafficking and enhance victim services and the US$40-million effort of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) to curb youth crime and violence.
Further, he emphasised the US$100 million in new assistance that US Vice President Kamala Harris announced during a recent visit to the Caribbean.
Perry also disclosed that almost 10,000 visas have been issued this year under the H-2B visa programme, which provides seasonal job opportunities to Jamaicans and which he said also benefits the American economy.
“Our economic partnership is as solid as ever. We will continue to help promote US exports and investment in Jamaica through business matchmaking, leading Jamaican delegations to trade shows, and supporting trade missions to both Jamaica and the United States,” he stated.
Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, extolled the numerous US agencies, which, she said, have played an integral role in Jamaica’s development.
Stating that the matter of national security remained a prime concern for the Jamaican Government, Johnson Smith expressed her desire for a “deepening” of that partnership.
“Over the years and in various programmes, we’ve worked together to strengthen our capabilities, and this matter remains a priority for the Jamaican Government, and so we look forward to deepening our partnership in this regard,” she said. “The renewed and continued attention from the Biden-Harris administration is a confirmation of the importance that we both attach to our very special friendship.”