Article by Tiffany Holman-Lyn

In a poignant and culturally rich celebration, Jamaica and Colombia marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with an official ceremony at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston last Thursday (June 5).

The event stood as a tribute to six decades of friendship, cooperation, and shared heritage between the two nations.

A highlight of the evening was the guest performance by the acclaimed Colombian pianist, Teresita Gómez, whose musical recital served as a symbolic and heartfelt homage to the deep and longstanding ties that bind the peoples of both nations.

The ceremony featured distinguished addresses by Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamina Johnson Smith, and Colombian Ambassador to Jamaica Emiliana Bernard Stephenson. Their remarks reflected not only on the achievements of the past but also laid the foundation for an even more promising future.

Somos familia

In her address, Minister Johnson Smith described the bilateral journey as not just a diplomatic endeavour, but as the story of “countries standing together for six decades, confronting challenges and embracing opportunities”.

She noted that formal diplomatic ties, established on 24 February 1965, were built upon a pre-existing legacy that dates back to Jamaican settlers arriving in San Andrés and Providencia as early as 1788. “These pioneers,” she remarked, “shaped the cultural fabric of Colombia’s Caribbean life, and today, over 5,000 people of Jamaican descent call Colombia home.”

Highlighting the multifaceted collaboration between both nations, she cited areas such as agriculture, maritime security, tourism, language training, and education as key pillars. She particularly praised Colombia’s support through technical exchanges in coffee production, tourism development, and language instruction.

A moment of reflection came as the minister drew attention to a symbolic mural, unveiled in 2023 in Kingston’s Waterlane Art District by Colombian artist Jota Art, as “a vivid representation of our intertwined histories”.

She also referenced the 9th Binational Neighbourhood Commission held in San Andrés in July 2024 as a landmark event, which reaffirmed shared priorities and charted ambitious paths for cooperation.

“As we reflect on this diamond anniversary,” she concluded, “we do so with pride in our past accomplishments and optimism for deeper, more meaningful connections in the years to come.”

Culturally and personally connected

Ambassador Bernard Stephenson, a proud Raizal Afro-Colombian with ancestral ties to Jamaica, delivered a speech that blended historical reverence with heartfelt personal reflections.

She reminded attendees of Simón Bolívar’s exile in Jamaica, where he penned the influential Carta de Jamaica—a political manifesto that would ultimately inspire Colombia’s independence. This, she stated, marked the beginning of a bond which now spans almost two centuries.

Ambassador Bernard Stephenson shared her unique personal connection: “Amongst those early Jamaican settlers in Colombia was my great-grandfather, Samuel Stephenson. As an islander from Providencia Island, I now serve as ambassador in a nation culturally and personally connected to my own.”

With emotion and pride, she highlighted the efforts of the Colombian Government under President Gustavo Petro to foster deeper Caribbean integration, including appointing Caribbean-origin ambassadors and prioritising initiatives such as bilingual education, food security, and climate action.

She expressed particular joy at the cooperation facilitated through CARICOM and the strengthening of bilateral platforms like the Binational Neighbourhood Commission.

In a moving moment, she addressed the Colombian diaspora in Spanish, acknowledging their importance and commitment to national development, and reaffirming the embassy’s support for their well-being in Jamaica.

Shared culture, future promise

The event was as much a cultural celebration as it was a diplomatic milestone. Teresita Gómez’s piano recital infused the evening with artistic gravitas, paying tribute to both nations’ shared African heritage and love of music.

The warm embrace of languages, traditions, and values was palpable throughout the gathering, and the strong showing of support by both governments and citizens underscored the enduring bond that exists.

As Minister Johnson Smith aptly put it, “These are not mere gestures, but pillars upon which we have built a lasting friendship.”

With pride in the past and hope for the future, the celebration of the 60th anniversary marked not just a moment of commemoration, but a renewed call to action—to deepen the partnership, honour the legacy, and build a shared future of solidarity, prosperity, and unity.

Here’s to 60 years of Colombia-Jamaica friendship—and to many more.