MFAFT Jamaica

Ministry Team

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November 13, 2026

Minister Johnson Smith Positions Jamaica as Hub for Greater European Investment and Business Cooperation

KINGSTON – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, has encouraged European businesses to view Jamaica as an investment destination, a trusted commercial partner and a gateway to regional and international markets, with opportunities for expanded trade, investment and business cooperation across several key sectors of the economy.

November 13, 2026

Caution Against Overseas Employment Offers Linked to Russia-Ukraine War

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is advising Jamaican nationals to exercise extreme caution when responding to overseas employment opportunities advertised through social media, messaging platforms and other online channels, particularly those offering unusually high salaries, travel assistance or expedited immigration arrangements. The Ministry is also specifically urging Jamaicans to avoid recruitment offers to participate in foreign wars or conflicts. It has come to the Government’s attention that there are international reports of foreign nationals being recruited to participate in Russia’s war against Ukraine including through advertisements on social media. The Government of Jamaica has not been provided with any formal communication regarding the conduct of such recruitment activities locally, and is therefore unable to verify the legitimacy or authenticity of the reported overseas employment offers. Notwithstanding, the Government is aware of international media reports of persons recruited from various countries to participate in that war, including accusations of ill-treatment of Africans and persons of African descent as well as misrepresentation of duties, difficulties in receiving payments and difficulties in returning to their home countries or onward travel. Jamaicans are therefore strongly encouraged to avoid such recruitment offers. The Ministry further reminds that participation in foreign armed conflicts carries serious risks to personal safety including ultimately to life, and may also expose individuals to legal, immigration and consular complications. The Government of Jamaica also wishes to advise that neither it, nor international humanitarian organisations can guarantee consular or humanitarian assistance or safe repatriation from active conflict zones. Jamaicans are more widely urged to exercise due diligence in verifying the legitimacy of overseas employment offers, recruitment agencies and prospective employers before making travel arrangements or providing personal documents. Particular caution should be exercised where recruiters request passport information, advance payments or the signing of contracts that have not been independently verified or fully understood. Jamaicans at home who receive suspicious recruitment offers are encouraged to report the matter to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Those already overseas who believe they have been misled or coerced into military service should seek assistance from the nearest Jamaican diplomatic or consular mission, where it is safe to do so. Persons may consult the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s list of licensed employment agencies at www.mlss.gov.jm or contact its Employment Agencies Unit to seek verification of overseas employment opportunities

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November 11, 2026

Minister Johnson Smith Calls for Greater Reciprocity in CARIFORUM–EU Trade Agreement

KINGSTON – Foreign Minister Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith has called for greater reciprocity in the implementation of the CARIFORUM–EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), particularly in facilitating business mobility and ensuring that Jamaican enterprises and service providers can fully capitalise on opportunities within the European market.

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November 6, 2026

Foreign Ministry Mourns Passing of Ambassador Donald Rainford

KINGSTON: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, has expressed profound sadness at the passing of Ambassador Donald Bancroft Rainford.

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November 3, 2026

UK AND JAMAICA SIGN LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP TO FAST-TRACK HURRICANE MELISSA RECONSTRUCTION

KINGSTON, Jamaica: One year after Hurricane Melissa devastated parts of Jamaica, the United Kingdom and Jamaica have entered into a major four-year partnership to accelerate national reconstruction, restore critical infrastructure and strengthen the country’s resilience to future disasters. The government-to-government partnership was signed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Sunday, November 1, in Antigua and Barbuda by the Rt. Hon. Ed Miliband MP, the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, and Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

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September 29, 2026

Jamaica Welcomes UN Security Council Renewal of Haiti Gang Suppression Force Mandate

KINGSTON: Jamaica has welcomed today’s decision by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to extend the mandate of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti and is urging the international community to back the renewal with the personnel, financing and equipment needed to make the Force more effective for the next six months. The Council’s decision follows sustained advocacy by world leaders and foreign ministers from across the region and the globe, for continued international support to Haiti. Foreign Minister Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith had reiterated Jamaica’s call for renewal of the GSF mandate during the delivery of the country’s National Statement to the 81st Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Saturday (September 26). Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Brian Wallace also delivered CARICOM’s statement to the UNSC this morning as part of the debate before the vote. The GSF is mandated to neutralise armed gangs, protect critical infrastructure and support humanitarian access, working alongside the Haitian National Police. Jamaica has contributed personnel to the Force and is a member of the Standing Group of Partners, which provides strategic direction and helps mobilise personnel and resources.