The Trump administration has nominated a Trinidadian-born envoy as its new envoy to the republic and she will likely head there after a glittering career as a senior naval officer and as a former Florida lieutenant governor.
Jennifer Johnson-Carroll’s nomination was submitted to the Senate this week and she will have to face confirmation hearings before her nomination is confirmed. If she gets the nod of a highly divided Senate, Johnson-Carroll will be the second female ambassador to the federation with Tobago following on from Candace Bond who had served during the Biden era. Both women are of African origin.
Born in Arouca, Trinidad, just east of the capital Port of Spain, the nominee made history back in 2010 when she became the first female lieutenant governor and the first person of African origin to serve as Florida’s lieutenant governor. She had also had a decorated career in the Navy, rising to the senior position of lieutenant commander after serving as an aircraft engineer.
Her nomination has already attracted positive reactions from at least one influential group.
The local American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago welcomed her nomination, saying her appointment comes at a time of strong relations between the US and the federation.
“The nomination marks an important step in the appointment process and reflects the continued importance of the longstanding relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States,” the body said in a statement. “Throughout her career, she has held leadership positions in government, public policy, community engagement, and advocacy, earning recognition for her commitment to public service and civic leadership. AMCHAM T&T recognizes that the nomination must now proceed through the Senate confirmation process, including review by the foreign relations committee and subsequent consideration by the full Senate. We look forward to the successful completion of that process and to welcoming a new US ambassador in the near future.”
Local media reports indicate that she has maintained fairly strong ties with the republic over the decades and had even led a trade delegation several years ago.
Trinidad and Tobago has, in recent months, moved to position itself as perhaps the closest US ally in the 15-nation Caribbean Community, even allowing US forces to set up monitoring equipment in the country and soldiers to train in the lead up to military action against Venezuela back in January.
