The government of Jamaica has welcomed the news that US President Donald Trump has designated former Republican candidate, from Arizona, Kari Lake as the next US Ambassador to Jamaica.
Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge, who discussed the nomination in a recent appearance in New York City, said the government of Jamaica looks forward to working with the new ambassador.
“We look forward to continuing our strategic partnership and our good relationship with the US, and we welcome the ambassador designate,” Terrelonge said.
Terrelonge referred to the long history between Jamaica and the United States, as well as the strategic arrangements between the two countries, and alluded the fact that he did not see this relationship changing.
The White House also announced on Monday May 11, 2026, that the former Arizona Senate candidate had been appointed to the post by President Trump. Lake will have to undergo Senate confirmation before taking up her new position as US Ambassador to Jamaica.
If Lake’s appointment is confirmed by the Senate, it will close out her time as the top official in charge of the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees agency such as Voice of America (VOA) and other international free radio stations.
Kari Lake is a two-time Arizona political candidate. She also ran for governor of Arizona and lost both races. Ms. Lake has not conceded defeat in either of these elections.
Kari Lake’s appointment comes almost two years after the post of US ambassador to Jamaica became vacant. The previous ambassador, Nick Perry stepped down following the swearing-in of President Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
Nick Perry was an appointee of former president, Joe Biden.
