Will PM Holness comply with US dictates?
Marco Rubio’s visit to Jamaica on Wednesday was prophesied to be of seismic proportions, even before the US Secretary of State set foot on the island to deliver the intent and interests of the Donald Trump administration.
While the Jamaican government appeared unfazed by his arrival, a gathering of intercessors has disclosed that the impact of the visit was much greater than what the natural eye could perceive. They said the visit has shifted a lot of the plans that were being considered by the Andrew Holness-led administration, including the date of the general election, which is constitutionally due this year. It could also see the revocation of some visas within the top echelons of society.
“This visit by the US Secretary of State shall ruffle feathers, but not only ruffle feathers, saith the Lord, but feathers will be plucked out and also wings will be clipped. The Lord says it is a game changer. Major shifts are about to happen,” was the prophetic word shared.
Secretary Rubio is the fifth US Secretary to visit Jamaica in the past 14 years, following those by Hillary Clinton in January 2010 and June 2011, Rex Tillerson in February 2018, Mike Pompeo in January 2020, and Antony Blinken in May 2024 during his participation in Haiti-related “Kingston Talks” hosted here.
The US Secretary of State had a meeting with Holness on Wednesday after both met and exchanged greetings and a firm handshake at Jamaica House. Secretary Rubio is also scheduled to have bilateral engagements with leaders from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti during his two-day stay in Jamaica. Visits to Guyana and Suriname are also planned for his May 26-27 tour to advance President Trump’s US Foreign Policy priorities in the Caribbean.
The Rubio regional agenda places high importance on crude oil supply in Guyana and the controversial arrangements with Venezuela, as well as matters surrounding the continued crisis in Haiti.
Based on the prophetic message from the intercessors, there will be some interesting developments in Jamaica in the weeks ahead stemming from the meetings with PM Holness.
“As a result of this visit, that which will transpire will also influence the timing of the calling of the general election,” the intercessors said. The ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is hoping to secure a third term in office and has recently unveiled a national budget that promises a raft of benefits for citizens.
Prior to Rubio’s arrival, the State Department had shared that the visit would promote regional cooperation to end illegal immigration, counter transnational organised crime, strengthen regional actions to address Haiti’s political and security challenges, and strengthen the United States’ economic partnerships with Caribbean countries.
Secretary Rubio was met at the Norman Manley International Airport on Wednesday afternoon by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith. The US Secretary of State was accompanied by a large entourage, which included the acting US ambassador, Amy Tachco, and engaged in bilateral talks at the Office of the Prime Minister. A press conference was hosted afterwards.
