Foreign Minister concerned about US advisory against travel to Jamaica

By Nakinskie Robinson    

 

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith has expressed concerns over the recently issued travel advisory by the United States, cautioning its citizens against travel to Jamaica due to challenges with crime and public health care.

 

The Foreign Minister on Friday afternoon spoke with US Ambassador to Jamaica N. Nickolas Perry and embassy officials to discuss the issues detailed in the advisory.

 

Minister Johnson Smith highlighted the significant improvements recorded in security and health care, acknowledging the high level of cooperation between Jamaica and the US to tackle some of the issues listed. 

 

"Notwithstanding our clear care and concern for the safety of all visitors to our island, and notwithstanding our understanding that the overall ranking of Jamaica has not deteriorated in this most recent advisory, the government is disappointed that the language used does not reflect our country's true progress," she said. 

 

"In recent years, the government has more than doubled its investments to strengthen our capacity to tackle crime and health-related challenges across the region for the benefit of all our citizens and indeed everyone who wishes to visit Jamaica. We are making significant progress, although we still have much more to do to achieve all that we wish to deliver," the minister maintained.  

 

She said improvements in both areas are among the government's priorities, and that engagement would continue with development partners in these and other critical areas. 

 

"It is not insignificant that Jamaica has recorded a more than 20?cline in serious crimes and strong improvements in arrests and prosecution. In healthcare, the government has also been improving infrastructure and human resources and continuing to increase capacity to deliver better healthcare to our citizens and indeed to visitors," she outlined. 

 

Mrs. Johnson Smith also pointed out that the travel advisory comes after the recent Gallup survey found Jamaica to be one of the Latin America and Caribbean region's safest locations for visitors.