The U.S. will review its travel advisory for Jamaica to take into account an improving public safety picture in the Caribbean country, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a visit there.
The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory for Jamaica is currently set at Level 3, “Reconsider Travel.” Jamaican leaders argue this does not reflect recent reductions in crime and could unfairly damage the tourism-dependent economy.
Why It Matters
The issue reflects broader U.S. foreign policy interests in the region, including migration, energy independence and distancing Caribbean nations from Cuban and Venezuelan influence. Travel advisories are one tool at America’s disposal.
At the same time, the U.S. is itself facing updated travel advice from a number of European countries, which warn LGBTQ+ travellers to be aware of a worsening environment for them, reflected by recent legal changes around trans people.
What to Know
During a stop in Kingston, Rubio met with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and other officials, who criticized the existing travel advisory as outdated and damaging.
“We pledged [that] we’re going to go back and reevaluate the travel advisories as they currently stand to ensure that they do reflect the reality of the new numbers,” Rubio said Wednesday, referring to declines in Jamaica’s crime rates.
Jamaica remains at Level 3, citing “violent crimes such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides,” particularly in areas of Kingston and Montego Bay, according to the U.S. State Department.
The reevaluation could signal a policy shift if data supports easing restrictions.
Rubio’s Caribbean tour, which will also include stops in Guyana and Suriname, comes amid a broader U.S. strategy to counter regional ties to Venezuela and Cuba.
The administration has introduced sanctions targeting Venezuelan oil exports and seeks to reduce the Caribbean’s dependence on them.
Rubio also weighed in on a contentious Cuban government program that deploys doctors to countries in need, including Jamaica. The U.S. argues the practice may constitute labor exploitation and violate international labor standards.
“They basically operate as forced labor in many places,” Rubio said. “Now there are places that have better labor standards. Perhaps Jamaica is one of those.”
What People Are Saying
Holness defended the Cuban medical program, asserting that Jamaica provides full legal protections to those workers.
“We ensure that they are treated within our labor laws and benefit like any other worker,” Holness said. “So any characterization of the program by others certainly would not be applicable to Jamaica.”
He also welcomed Rubio’s promise to revisit the travel advisory, stating: “We are committed to working collaboratively to ensure that travel advisories reflect the current realities and promote travel to Jamaica.”
Rubio acknowledged those efforts: “Jamaica has made very impressive progress in your general numbers overall when it comes to the murder rate and so forth,” he said.
What’s Next
Rubio’s regional diplomacy also includes urgent conversations about Haiti, where a multinational peacekeeping force led by Kenya is attempting to curb the influence of violent gangs.
The secretary of state recently extended waivers to allow continued U.S. funding for that security mission, despite a broader freeze on foreign aid.
It remains unclear how long such funding will persist or whether any commitments will emerge from Rubio’s ongoing talks in Suriname and Guyana.
Further developments on the Jamaica travel advisory are expected after the State Department completes its review.
This article uses reporting by The Associated Press.
The post U.S. Travel Warning for Jamaica Under Review appeared first on Newsweek.
