Jamaica Consulate rejects claims Holness was denied diplomatic courtesies in New York
Key Points(5)
- The Consulate General of Jamaica in New York has rejected social media claims that Prime Minister Andrew Holness was denied diplomatic courtesies during his recent visit to the United States, saying he received the customary services and security arrangements throughout his stay.
- In a statement issued Monday, October 26, the consulate said Holness arrived at John F.
- Kennedy International Airport on October 15 and received courtesies from the U.S.
- Department of State, the U.S.
- Secret Service and the consulate team.
The Consulate General of Jamaica in New York has rejected social media claims that Prime Minister Andrew Holness was denied diplomatic courtesies during his recent visit to the United States, saying he received the customary services and security arrangements throughout his stay.
In a statement issued Monday, October 26, the consulate said Holness arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport on October 15 and received courtesies from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Secret Service and the consulate team.
Consul General Oliver Mair and members of his team met the prime minister upon arrival and remained with him until his departure for Jamaica on Saturday, October 17, the statement said.
The consulate also praised the U.S. Secret Service for its handling of security arrangements for Holness and his delegation during the visit.
“The United States Secret Service provided exceptional service to the Prime Minister and his delegation from October 15 to 17, extending all usual and customary courtesies throughout the visit and right up to departure,” the statement said.
Mair thanked the agency for its professionalism and commended consulate staff for their work during the visit, adding that the consulate valued its strong working relationship with U.S. partners.
Addressing a video circulating on social media, the consulate said the footage showed Holness at JFK before departure, accompanied by members of the U.S. Secret Service, his security detail and Mair.
“This reflects standard operating procedure,” the statement said.
The consulate also noted that the Jamaican government does not operate its own aircraft, meaning the prime minister and his delegation travel on scheduled commercial flights between Jamaica and the United States.
It said the consulate took its responsibility for visiting Jamaican officials seriously and worked with U.S. partners to ensure that any courtesies due to them were properly provided.
The statement did not identify the specific social media posts or provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the video.
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