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The Government of Jamaica has announced that its Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela will be temporarily closed with effect April 1.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith, said “As we have previously stated publicly, we have been monitoring circumstances related to the Embassy, not only in the wider context of our review  of our representation globally, but also in respect of the   particular considerations relating to developments in Caracas. The Ministry, along with its Embassy, have been experiencing significant challenges in its operations and we have therefore determined that temporary closure is now the practical solution.”

The Foreign Minister reminded that over the past two years, the Ministry has been reviewing its resident diplomatic  and consular presence overseas, due to the ever changing global environment and the emergence of new patterns of trade and investment as well as technical and economic cooperation.

Minister Johnson Smith noted, “This is only our first announcement this year regarding Jamaica’s overseas diplomatic representation.  There will however be additional announcements, including openings where we believe our presence will be mutually beneficial to us and our host country”.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade further advised that the temporary closure should not be confused with any rupture in diplomatic relations with Venezuela and that during the period of closure of the Embassy in Caracas, the management of Jamaica’s relations with Venezuela will be undertaken from the Ministry’s Headquarters in Kingston, as has obtained for some time.

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