U.S. and Jamaica pledge closer security, trade and aid ties; Washington announces law-enforcement equipment and programs

Prime Minister Holness and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio used a joint appearance in Kingston to pledge stepped-up cooperation on security, trade and development and to announce U.S. equipment and program support aimed at countering organized crime and expanding economic ties.

The visit, held in Jamaica, focused on strengthening bilateral ties across security, trade and capacity building, including a discussion of renewing the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act and ways to attract more U.S. investment. "Trade, recognizing The United States as Jamaica's largest trading partner with bilateral trade surpassing $3,000,000,000 in 2023," Prime Minister Holness said during opening remarks.

The joint meeting emphasized security cooperation aimed at transnational criminal networks. Prime Minister Holness said Jamaica and the United States discussed "enhancing cooperation in combating transnational crime" and strengthening marine domain awareness and intelligence surveillance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described U.S. assistance as focused on building Jamaica's capacity, saying "America helping Jamaica build its own capacity, its own ability to confront these challenges and solve these problems." He listed planned or proposed support including the restart and strengthening of the Jolt Fusion Center, forensic synthetics-detection equipment, intelligence software for law enforcement, night-vision equipment and a counter-gang recruitment program.

Why it matters: Both governments tied security to broader economic goals. Officials framed cuts in violent crime and better intelligence as prerequisites for attracting manufacturing and logistics operations to the hemisphere, shifting supply chains closer to North American markets and creating better-paying jobs.

The leaders discussed trade policy alignment. Rubio said U.S. trade policy is being "realigned" to favor more regional production and noted opportunities for Jamaica to host manufacturing or logistics centers. The prime minister raised the renewal of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act as "a matter of critical importance" for Jamaica and CARICOM member states.

Officials also took up travel advisories and tourism. Holness said Jamaica has made "very impressive progress" on crime metrics and cited a figure that crimes against visitors amount to less than 0.01% of more than 3,000,000 annual visitors. Rubio said the United States would "reevaluate the travel advisories as they currently stand" to ensure they reflect current numbers.

On migration and workforce development, the leaders discussed expanding bilateral labor arrangements and skills training. Holness and Rubio spoke about opportunities to "upskill and reskill" Jamaican workers so they can fill roles if manufacturing and logistics investments arrive. Rubio said foreign aid will be aligned to partner countries' priorities and that U.S. assistance should help build domestic capacity.

Both officials addressed Haiti. Holness called Haiti's humanitarian and security challenges an "acute threat" to regional stability; Rubio said the United States would support a significant expansion of resources to the Haitian National Police so the HNP can better confront gangs.

What was announced (clarifying details): the Jolt Fusion Center is to be "started up again" and strengthened; forensic labs will receive synthetics-detection equipment; a counter-gang recruitment program will be launched; law-enforcement intelligence software and night-vision gear are planned; officials said they will explore aid focused on skills training and investment facilitation.

Prime Minister Holness and Secretary Rubio concluded by committing to follow-up work and concrete progress on the items discussed, including further engagement on trade and security programs.

Sources and attribution: Prime Minister Holness and Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the statements at the joint press appearance in Kingston.