North & Central America and Caribbean

Jamaica
Last reviewed: 05 August 2009

Country information

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Jamaica has diplomatic relations with most nations and is a member of the United Nations and the Organisation of American States. In 2005 Jamaica was chair of the G77 UN grouping. Jamaica is an active member of the Commonwealth. It is also linked with the other countries of the English-speaking Caribbean through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and more broadly through the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM)

Association of Caribbean States (ACS)

Relations with the UK

The UK and Jamaica have warm bilateral relations.

Under the British Government's International Strategic Priorities, principal British interests in Jamaica include: reducing the harm to the UK from international crime, including drug trafficking, people smuggling and money laundering; promoting sustainable development and poverty reduction underpinned by human rights, democracy, good governance and protection of the environment; managing migration and combating illegal immigration; and delivering high quality support for British nationals abroad, in normal times and in crises.

Drugs and Crime

Violent crime remains a major challenge to Jamaican stability, and has direct links to crime in the UK. The murder rate remains among the highest in the world (about 59 per 100,000). Jamaica is a major trans-shipment route for cocaine from South America to North America and Europe and faces a high rate of gang-related violence fuelled by drugs money. The UK provides substantial assistance to Jamaica’s law enforcement agencies.

Public sector corruption is an obstacle to effective governance in Jamaica, and the Jamaican police are sometimes criticised for excessive use of force. The Government, with international support, have instigated a series of reforms to the security sector but Jamaica's criminal justice system remains in need of further reform and funding.

Recent Inward Visits

Jamaican politicians, senior officials and business people are regular visitors to the UK. Prime Minister The Hon Bruce Golding visited the UK in May 2008.

Outward Visits

In 2007 The Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP, Minister for Sport; Dr Kim Howells MP, Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon John Prescott MP; and Meg Munn MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office visited Jamaica. Dr Howells visited again in January 2008.

In March 2008 Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Jamaica.