Obama heading to the Caribbean

(CNS Business): America’s President, Barack Obama, will make his first presidential visit to Jamaica on 9 April. Reports from the White House stated the trip is focused on strengthening security in the Caribbean. Officials said in a release that Obama would visit the island nation to meet leaders, before departing for Panama to attend the Summit of Americas on the 10 and 11 April.

During his one-day visit to Jamaica, Obama will meet with Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and other leaders of the 15-member Caribbean Community regional grouping. Jamaica will host a meeting between President Obama and the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), for discussions on issues on the CARICOM-USA agenda, including security and trade. Official stated the leaders will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Simpson Miller said in a statement: “The Government of Jamaica is delighted that President Obama will be visiting Jamaica at this time.

It will mark the second time since our Independence that a sitting US President will be visiting Jamaica. We view the President’s upcoming visit as an affirmation of the strong ties of friendship and cooperation that have united our two peoples for centuries. We are confident that through fruitful dialogue and exchanges during the visit we will succeed in further strengthening the close relations that exist at the bilateral level between Jamaica and the USA, and between the USA and CARICOM.”

The last time a sitting US president visited the Caribbean island was during a 1982 visit from former President Ronald Reagan. Obama has visited the Caribbean region twice during his time in office, going to Puerto Rico in 2011 and Trinidad in 2009.

Category: Uncategorized, World Business