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News > Latin America

Jamaica Prepares for Rex Tillerson's Visit

  • U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson testifies during a confirmation hearing.

    U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson testifies during a confirmation hearing. | Photo: Rueters

Published 6 February 2018
Opinion

Tillerson has visited Mexico, Argentina, Peru and Colombia and is now set to spend a few hours in Jamaica.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is set to visit Jamaica on Wednesday as part of his Latin American and Caribbean "Union and Dignity" tour. 

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Rex Tillerson to Meet Colombia's President Santos

Tillerson has visited Mexico, Argentina, Peru and Colombia and is now set to spend a few hours in Jamaica. 

Critics say his travels are focused on strengthening ties with right-wing administrations in the region, garnering support for sanctions and other measures against the Venezuelan and Cuban governments.

"THE EXXON MAN!! Arriving in Jamaica? Can't fool me! Most probably to deliver a message, which might say – keep cool and look the other way when they try to take down the Cuban regime this spring," a local resident told the Jamaica Observer.

"And YOU Jamaicans, just pretend YOU didn't see nothing when they go after the Venezuelan regime and the oil!"

Others expect Tillerson will show support for Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who abstained from a Dec. 2017 vote on whether to denounce U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Jamaica was among five to abstain, including Trinidad & Tobago, Bahamas, Haiti and Antigua & Barbuda.

"Trump is using Jamaica to save face with his s***hole comment and to thank Andrew for abstaining from the U.N. vote condemning him for his untimely recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital," the Jamaican Observer quoted another local resident as saying.

Earlier this month, Tillerson warned that China and Russia were assuming "alarming" roles in the Latin American region. 

"Latin America doesn't need new imperial powers that seek only to benefit their own people," he said, adding that “China's state-led model of development is reminiscent of the past. It doesn't have to be the hemisphere's future." 

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