Jamaica’s Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness congratulated has expressed hope for deeper ties between both with Trinidad and Tobago on the heels of Kamla Persad-Bissessar being elected prime minister of the twin-island republic in Monday’s general election.

In a message shared on social media, Dr Holness said, “The government and people of Jamaica extend heartfelt congratulations to the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC MP, on her victory in the general elections held on 28^th April 2025, in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a pleasure to note her return as prime minister-elect, having made history in 2010 as the first female prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Persad-Bissessar led the United National Congress (UNC) to a win over the People’s National Movement (PNM), which is being compared to her emphatic triumph at the polls in 2010.

According to the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian, the UNC won 21 seats, retaining 19 seats and taking the East-West corridor and San Fernando West seats from the PNM. The party added the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) two seats to its majority in Parliament.

“Jamaica wishes to express its continued deep appreciation for the longstanding bonds and friendship that exist between both nations,” Dr Holness’s message continued.

While Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica are “bound” by geography, history and culture, he said our tradition of collaboration transcends our regional and hemispheric partnerships in the Caribbean Community and Organisation of American States, extending to international and multilateral forums.

With this in mind, the prime minister of Jamaica anticipates that both countries will continue working together while improving their relationship.

“Her electoral triumph heralds a renewed opportunity to deepen and broaden collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including, but not limited to, trade and investment, regional security, energy, and climate change,” Dr Holness stated.

He added that as Persad-Bissessar assumes the role of prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, “Jamaica reaffirms its commitment to working with her, as well as her incoming administration, to chart an ambitious agenda for the prosperity and security of both nations, as well as the wider Caribbean family”.

Jamaica has seen its relationship with Trinidad and Tobago strengthen under PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley, who recently resigned as prime minister of the twin-island republic and named Stuart Young as his successor.

In 2022, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen trade ties at a joint conference in the southern Caribbean country. For the five-year period up to 2023, Jamaica saw its exports to Trinidad grow at an annualised rate of 10 per cent.

Rowley, in 2022, also endorsed Jamaica’s challenge to chair the Commonwealth of Nations when Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith announced her bid to run against sitting Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland.

In January this year, Petrojam Limited (Jamaica) and Paria Fuel Trading Company (Trinidad and Tobago) signed a multimillion-dollar deal aimed at strengthening regional energy security and economic cooperation within CARICOM.