Caribbean congratulates new US leaders

Caribbean leaders have extended congratulations to the United States President-elect, Joe Biden and his Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris, saying that they were looking forward to working with the new Democratic Party leaders in the White House. Although the final results were still being tabled, the pair have been announced as future US leaders.

Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness tweeted: “America will have its first female vice-president in Kamala Harris and we are proud that she bears Jamaican heritage. Her ascension to this role is a monumental accomplishment for women all over the world and I salute her. We look forward to working with the new administration.”

Harris is the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother and also created history by becoming the first woman of colour to become US vice-president.

In his letter of congratulations to Biden, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that he recalled working with him when he served as VP to President Barack Obama. Browne said: “As you begin to plan for your assumption of office in January 2021, I know that you will be cognizant the Caribbean is the “third border” of the United States and that our governments have a joint responsibility to cooperate in economic and social development that will keep our collective neighbourhood prosperous.”

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley said “given the close familial ties of both our countries and our joint economic and security connections, we look forward to the strengthening of those bonds in the months and years ahead.”

Many other Caribbean leaders sent their congratulations too.