The US Embassy headquartered in Kingston hosted a gala event to celebrate American independence on Wednesday (June 26). 

It was a delightful evening and well attended.

Below is US Ambassador to Jamaica Nick Perry’s address:

I am thrilled to welcome you to this grand and special Fourth of July celebration. 

The Fourth of July has always been special since 1776 when America declared its independence. And as we join together to celebrate, it is even more special here in Kingston, where everywhere you stand, you can feel the pulse and rhythm of Jamaica, in joyful celebration of America’s birthday.

Now, exercising the powers vested in me as the US Ambassador to Jamaica, I hereby declare today July 4, America’s birthday! And on America’s birthday, I take great pride in reaffirming our strong friendship that the United States and Jamaica enjoy.

My team and I at US Embassy Kingston, are delighted to be at this post, spreading America’s message of freedom, democracy, and equality – principles that resonate deeply and are embedded not only in Americans but are a big part of the Jamaican spirit.

Our shared mottos—E Pluribus Unum and Out of Many, One People—as well as our shared histories are forged from resilience and determination, marked, by a commitment to creating a better future for all our people.

Tonight, we celebrate not just America’s independence, but the spirit of partnership and collaboration that defines our relationship with Jamaica, a strategic, regional partner whose continued and growing friendship we value and cherish.

The US remains committed to investing in Jamaica and the Caribbean region, as seen, and realised in groundbreaking initiatives, including advancing our security partnership; our joint efforts to resolve the crisis in Haiti; and launching the U.S.–Caribbean Climate Partnership (PACC 2030), [an] investment of more than US$100 million in new assistance in the region. This robust collaboration benefits both of our nations.

Security cooperation and regional stability are key elements of our relationship. Our shared programmes are bolstering regional security, combatting transnational criminal activities, and significantly building capacity in Jamaica’s security and justice sectors. Working closely with the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) has resulted in a record number of fugitive arrests, enhanced training in firearms, and robust evidence collection emphasising the role and use of fingerprinting in public safety.

Preventing youth from joining criminal enterprises, is another major area in which we are increasingly engaged; USAID’s Positive Pathways actively works with twelve hundred at-risk youth, here in Jamaica while the U.S.-Jamaica Child Protection Compact is working to combat child trafficking and enhance victim services.

As Jamaica experiences significant growth and expansion in port capacity due to its strategic location in the region, our joint efforts in port security are highlights of the strong US-Jamaica security partnership.

US Embassy Kingston’s health and public safety teams have successfully partnered with Jamaica’s Ministry of Health to tackle the spread of infectious diseases and improve emergency response times, while also providing specialised bomb threat response training.

Economically, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made a US$10 million investment in the Food for Progress Project, otherwise called JaSPICE, to revitalise the spice sector and promote entrepreneurial endeavours. This collaboration aims to create pathways to prosperity for both our nations.

Culturally, people-to-people initiatives like the Fulbright scholarship and the Youth Ambassador exchange programmes build bridges of friendship. Likewise, Embassy Kingston’s Small Grants Programme supports social causes, and over the last two years, we have empowered over 90 young women by strengthening their entrepreneurial skills through the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs, (AWE).

Now that’s awesome! Don’t you agree?

I am very proud of my Consular team which works tirelessly to continue to improve visa processing times and enhance outreach programs for both U.S. and Jamaican citizens. The team has reduced tourist visa wait times by more than 400 per cent since I arrived, impressively clearing an 11,000-case visa backlog, issued over 17,000 work visas, benefiting both US businesses and Jamaican families, and facilitated ‘Super Saturday’ appointments for aspiring student-athletes to ensure a smooth pathway to participate in the Penn Relays.

US federal agencies also continue to cooperate in Jamaica’s development. For instance, Peace Corps Jamaica supports education, agriculture, and digital literacy, while USAID continues to support Jamaica’s investment in renewable energy. We remain committed to collaborating with Jamaica on climate resilience initiatives and forging new partnerships to support Jamaica’s blue economy.

Tonight, I am pleased, proud, and honoured to join you, and the over 60,000 Americans who reside here, in celebrating America’s birthday in Jamaica, in a region that I choose to proudly describe as America’s front yard.

Tonight’s theme, Jazz, which was born from the blending of different cultures, aptly represents the enduring bond between the United States and Jamaica—distinctive in style, yet deeply interconnected.

In closing, let me express my deepest gratitude to the people of Jamaica for your unwavering friendship and support throughout the past two years. I also want to wholeheartedly thank our sponsors; without your generous support, this evening’s event would not have been possible.

Thank you, thank you!

Together, we will continue to build on this legacy of cooperation and collaboration, as we nurture and grow our mutual respect for each other.

Now in celebration of America’s 248 years, as a strong nation, growing stronger every day, please raise your glasses with me as I offer a toast to both our nation’s enduring friendship and partnership.

Thank you, and Happy Independence, America!