Anderson gets green light to take up ambassador post
Published:Saturday | May 3, 2025 | 12:08 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
Jamaica’s newly appointed ambassador to the United States (US), retired Major General Antony Anderson, has received his letters of credentials from the Jamaican foreign ministry and is expected to take up his post shortly.
The post has been vacant for more than a month since Ambassador Audrey Marks stepped down and took up an appointment to the Jamaican Senate. Marks is also now a minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister.
During a function at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign in Kingston today, Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith presented Anderson with his letters of credence.
Anderson is to present the documents to the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US President Donald Trump.
With the handover of his letters of credence, Anderson officially received his charge from Johnson Smith to serve as Jamaica’s next ambassador to the US and permanent representative to the Organization of American States (OAS).
Anderson will assume the post at a time when Jamaica is placing renewed focus on strengthening security partnerships and expanding diplomatic engagement, the minister said.
Johnson Smith, who appointed Anderson to the role on March 13, noted that his leadership would be key to deepening bilateral ties and maintaining Jamaica’s active presence in hemispheric affairs, while strengthening connections with the US.
In a news release issued at the time, Johnson Smith said, “We are very pleased that Major General Anderson will assume this role at a time when Jamaica looks to strengthen its security partnerships. His leadership and expertise will also be critical in advancing Jamaica’s wider priorities, fostering deeper collaboration with the United States while engaging strategically within the OAS. He will build on the strong foundation laid by Ambassador Audrey Marks, whose service has been instrumental in advancing our bilateral agenda.”
Johnson Smith also said is appointment was critical in advancing Jamaica’s wider priorities, fostering deeper collaboration with the US while engaging strategically within the OAS.
Up to yesterday, no date had been set for him to take up his appointment, with the Jamaican embassy in Washington and the Jamaican consulates in New York and Miami telling The Gleaner that they have not yet been informed as to the date that he will assume his post.