Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness was among Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Dominican Republic and the CARICOM Secretary-General, who on Friday (April 29) met virtually with United States Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss support for post-COVID-19 economic recovery, the climate crisis, energy security and security co-operation.

The CARICOM leaders took the opportunity to raise other issues of concern, including access to development financing including climate finance, de-risking and the loss of correspondent banking. 

They expressed deep concern at the influx of guns into the region from the United States and called for more action to stem the flow.

The CARICOM Heads also looked forward to all countries of the Americas participating in the upcoming Summit of the Americas, which takes place in June in Los Angeles, California.

During the meeting, Harris reaffirmed her country’s commitment to the Caribbean Basin Initiative.

She also proposed an annual meeting which was welcomed by the CARICOM Heads, who also called for a Summit with US President Joe Biden.