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Exclusive: Jamaica's Ambassador Antony Anderson On Strengthening U.S. Ties, Economic Growth, And The Future Of The Island

Exclusive: Jamaica's Ambassador Antony Anderson On Strengthening U.S. Ties, Economic Growth, And The Future Of The Island

Forbes3 days ago

His Excellency Major General (Ret'd) Antony Anderson currently serves as Jamaica's fourteenth ... More Ambassador to the United States of America and as the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the Organization of American States (OAS). He officially assumed duties on 28th May 2025, at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C.
In the third-floor ceremonial office of the Jamaican Embassy, just steps from Washington, D.C.'s iconic Dupont Circle, Antony Anderson is settling into his new role as Jamaica's ambassador to the United States.
This new appointment, which Anderson has had for nearly three weeks, represents a marked departure from his former role as the Commissioner of Police of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. In this new chapter, he faces a complex geopolitical landscape, one shaped by a Trump administration focused on challenging foreign trade norms and implementing a zero-tolerance immigration policy that's spurred the mass deportation of more than 2,500 Jamaican nationals.
Anderson, a warm yet reserved figure sporting a pale blue suit with a red tie and the Jamaican flag proudly pinned to his lapel, said leadership and focus are essential, now more than ever.
'Jamaicans are not constrained by how they see themselves in the world,' said Anderson, 61. 'We come from a small island in the Caribbean, but we don't think that way. We have no problem taking first, second, and third at the Olympics in a race.'
An official photo taken of the Richard Fowler's interview with Amb. Anderson in the Embassy of ... More Jamaica's ceremonial office.
In his first major interview with an American publication since his appointment, Anderson shared his vision for Jamaica's relationship with the United States. He also discussed the recently revised U.S. travel advisory for Jamaica, his plans to strengthen Jamaica's diplomatic footprint in Washington, and how he intends to address the challenges posed by the current political climate, striking a balance between his ambassadorial role and the growing influence of the Jamaican-American diaspora.
'We are looking out for new opportunities, and there's no better time for opportunity than change,' said Anderson. 'My work will focus on helping Jamaica navigate these changes to create better and larger opportunities that align with our policy of growth.'
To understand Anderson's reserved nature, one must consider his decorated military and law enforcement background. While his warmth is evident, his careful approach to understanding issues before giving thoughtful, calculated responses reflect his robust military training.
Anderson holds a master's degree in Defense Administration from what was formerly known as the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, and a bachelor's degree in Engineering from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom.
Coupled with decades of experience in law enforcement, including work with various international agencies and joint operations with local and state law enforcement in the U.S., Anderson begins his tenure at a critical time for Jamaica.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness and local ... More delegations, in Kingston, Jamaica, on March 26, 2025. (Photo by Nathan Howard / POOL / AFP) (Photo by NATHAN HOWARD/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Case in point: Upon his return from Jamaica, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio adjusted the U.S. State Department's travel advisory for the island, downgrading its status from Level 3: Reconsider Travel to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.
After the Biden administration unexpectedly upgraded the island nation's status to Level 3, the recent adjustment under the Trump administration came as a relief for Jamaicans.
As the second most visited destination in the Caribbean, Jamaica's growth continues despite concerns about violent crime and inadequate healthcare facilities. In 2024, Jamaica welcomed approximately 4.3 million visitors, with the majority coming from the United States.
However, Anderson, whose previous role as head of the police put him in direct oversight of public safety, quickly highlighted Jamaica's falling crime rates, which he said reaffirms the island's safety for American tourists.
'When you look at real crime numbers and the incidences of crimes against tourists, American tourists are absolutely safer in Jamaica than any major U.S. city that they might choose to visit,' Anderson said. 'But you have perception versus reality.'
The island has seen a 45% reduction in murders and a 20% drop in major crimes year-to-date.
'We've done a lot of things to improve some of the concerns that caused the level of the advisory,' Anderson said. 'Our security situation has improved dramatically. We've addressed some of those concerns in our health sector. So we've created the conditions that if the administration wanted to revise the travel advisory positively, then there's enough reason to do so.'
With the new travel advisory in hand, Anderson said he wants to build on a relationship that is evolving under the new Trump administration.
A shared focus for Anderson and his American counterparts is tackling crime and drug trafficking.
Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Major General (Ret'd) Antony Anderson, ... More presents copies of his letters of credence to Chief of Protocol of the United States Department of State, Ambassador Monica Elizabeth Crowley on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
While Jamaica doesn't manufacture guns or many of the drugs transported through the island, its gun violence crisis stems from the influx of illegal firearms from the U.S.
These weapons often find their way into the hands of individuals tied to the drug trade or criminal organizations, which Anderson said makes cooperation between the United States and Jamaica necessary.
'We have nearly every federal law enforcement agency represented at the embassy, and not just sitting there but working hand in hand with our law enforcement,' Anderson said. 'That's been invaluable in helping us achieve the results we've seen.'
Anderson said the Jamaican diaspora has played a significant role in the American story. In 2023, when Jamaica accounted for the largest share of Caribbean immigrants in the U.S., approximately 1.3 million people of Jamaican descent called this country home.
'Jamaicans, wherever they go, don't necessarily form a community by themselves,' Anderson said. 'They integrate into the community, especially if their values align. And when they become part of a community, they add value. Within one or two generations, those kids are doing amazing things for the country.'
Anderson pointed to figures like U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, underscoring how the Jamaican mindset of limitless potential has shaped the success of its diaspora.
'Jamaicans have a mindset that says we can be as good as anyone in the world,' Anderson said. 'When that's instilled in our children, they do rise and they do great things because they know there are no limits to their vision and imagination.'
TOPSHOT - US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks on the ... More fourth and last day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024. Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept the party's nomination for president today at the DNC which ran from August 19-22 in Chicago. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Harris echoed this sentiment in her DNC Convention acceptance speech, recalling the advice of her Jamaican father, Stanford Professor Emeritus Donald J. Harris: 'At the park, my mother would tell us to stay close,' Harris said. 'But my father would just smile and say, 'Run, Kamala. Run. Don't be afraid. Don't let anything stop you.''
The relationship between the U.S. and Jamaica isn't without its challenges.
For years, Jamaica has been a recruitment hotspot for of recruiting highly skilled healthcare and education professionals. This has led to the country's third-place ranking on the Human Flight and Brain Drain Index. In 2023, nearly 26,000 Jamaicans, including many teachers and healthcare professionals, relocated to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Anderson is no stranger to this aspect of immigration, often overlooked or underreported in U.S. immigration stories. 'We ultimately believe that you are free to go if you please, but we as a nation must work to create an environment for you to stay.'
KINGSTON, JAMAICA - MARCH 06: Nurses watch during a visit by Prince Harry at Bustamente Children's ... More Hospital on March 6, 2012 in Kingston, Jamaica. Prince Harry is in Jamaica as part of a Diamond Jubilee Tour, representing Queen Elizabeth II, taking in Belize, the Bahamas, Jamaica and Brazil. (Photo by)
Harris and millions of other Jamaican diasporans remain at the forefront of Anderson's mind as he focuses on expanding his relationship with this influential bloc of American citizens.
'One thing Jamaica is after is growth, and engaging with our diaspora is essential to our growth strategy,' he said. 'We have to create the conditions that our diaspora wants to invest in Jamaica.'
Emphasizing the importance of practical, not emotional, investments, Anderson hopes his tenure will help shift the focus of the diaspora's involvement from purely philanthropic efforts to profitable ventures.
'My role is to show this diaspora, who are looking for investments all over the world, that this is what Jamaica is doing,' Anderson explained. 'Here are the opportunities to make money, increase profit, and do it safely in Jamaica—just from a financial perspective.'
Over the past few years, Jamaica has experienced steady GDP growth and a significant reduction in its debt-to-GDP ratio, both signs of fiscal discipline and stable monetary policy.
While more strategic initiatives are needed to boost growth and resilience against external shocks, Anderson believes the country is moving in the right direction, particularly through the expansion of tourism and the exploration of medical tourism, given the high number of skilled healthcare professionals the island produces annually.
Although Jamaica has not yet broken ground on its first medical tourism facility, Anderson, along with Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, is exploring ways to attract investors interested in making Jamaica a hotspot for the medical tourism industry.
Anderson said that endeavor involves leveraging Jamaica's proximity to the U.S., highly trained English-speaking healthcare professionals, and ample five-star hotel accommodations.
'We're positioned to take advantage of this as a business venture and deliver those services,' Anderson said. 'The government's role is to create the infrastructure and framework for investment, but ultimately, investment and growth are driven by the private sector.'
Jamaica is also courting oil investors. In early 2025, offshore oil potential was identified in the Walton-Morant Basin, located south of the island. Estimates suggest more than 2.4 billion untapped barrels, which Jamaican officials are working to turn into a major economic driver.
A significant part of Jamaica's identity is its cultural influence, especially through dancehall and reggae music, which continue to dominate global charts. With artists like Vybz Kartel and Spice selling out arenas, Anderson believes that time's of the essence in making the Jamaica brand global.
'Now is the moment,' Anderson said. 'to take our Jamaica brand, our cool brand, keep its Caribbean flavor, but make it larger and part of a world standard.'
Emphasizing music, food, and Jamaica's dominance in athletics, Anderson also highlighted efforts to create more talent incubators and streamline the investment process. 'There's a push to make everything easier—to make investment easier—and it's called SPEED—the Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Economic Development.'
Led by former Jamaican Ambassador to the U.S. Audrey Marks, who's now innovation minister and a member of the Jamaican Senate and Minister for Innovation, the SPEED initiative aims to foster an environment conducive to investment and talent growth.
As Jamaica's global influence continues to expand, Anderson stands ready to leave his mark on what comes next for the island nation.

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