In a significant diplomatic engagement, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness conducted a telephone conference with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio this past Saturday. The discussion, confirmed by the US Embassy through an official release, centered on multifaceted bilateral concerns ranging from disaster recovery to regional security coordination.
The dialogue commenced with Secretary Rubio reaffirming Washington’s commitment to supporting Jamaica’s ongoing reconstruction efforts following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that wrought substantial damage across the island in October 2024. This reaffirmation underscores the continued partnership in post-disaster rehabilitation between the two nations.
A notable highlight of the exchange involved US recognition of Jamaica’s remarkable achievement in crime reduction throughout 2025. Secretary Rubio explicitly commended Prime Minister Holness for his governance, acknowledging Jamaica’s role as “a strong and reliable regional security partner.” The conversation further addressed mutual security concerns, particularly focusing on combating drug trafficking, illegal firearms proliferation, narco-terrorism, and transnational criminal networks. Both officials emphasized the critical importance of sustained security cooperation to address these challenges effectively.
This high-level discussion occurred against a complex geopolitical backdrop characterized by rising regional tensions following recent US military operations in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Additionally, the talks took place amidst visa policy developments that saw Jamaica among twelve CARICOM nations—and seventy-five countries globally—facing suspensions in US immigrant visa processing. Notably, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago remained exempt from these latest visa restrictions, creating a differentiated landscape within Caribbean-US relations.