New US d’Affaires Commends Jamaica’s Democracy
By: , October 3, 2025
Photo: Michael Sloley
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (second left), pauses for a photo with New Chargé d’Affaires at the United States (US) Embassy in Jamaica, Scott Renner (left); Political Economic Counsellor, George Mathews (second right) and Defence Attache, Lieutenant Colonel Angel Lopez Jr. The Minister was among attendees at a welcome reception honouring the New Chargé d’Affaires, in Kingston, on Tuesday (September 30).
Photo: Michael Sloley
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (second right), in conversation with New Chargé d’Affaires at the United States (US) Embassy in Jamaica, Scott Renner (left); Minister of National Security and Peace, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (second left) and Minister of Local Government and community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie. The interaction took place at a welcome reception honouring the New Chargé d’Affaires, in Kingston, on Tuesday (September 30).
Photo: Michael Sloley
State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (right), engages with new Chargé d’Affaires at the United States (US) Embassy in Jamaica, Scott Renner, during a welcome reception held by the US Embassy in Kingston, on Tuesday (September 30).The Full Story
New Chargé d’Affaires at the United States (US) Embassy in Jamaica, Scott Renner, has commended Jamaica for the strength of its democracy and the strong bipartisan values displayed by the nation’s Members of Parliament (MPs), following the September 3 General Election.
Mr. Renner, who assumed the role of Chargé d’Affaires on August 13, was speaking at a welcome reception held by the United States Embassy in his honour, on Tuesday (September 30).
Among those present at the reception were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith; Opposition Leader, Mark Golding and several other MPs and government officials.
In a brief address to the gathering, Mr. Renner shared that he had the opportunity to attend the swearing-in ceremony for MPs, including Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, at Gordon House on September 18.
“I was really struck by the fact that as the different members got up and they affirmed their oath, as they walked back, they stopped and greeted not just their own party [members] but walked across the other aisle to greet others. That demonstration of mutual respect and friendship I think is a great example of the strength of Jamaica’s democracy,” he said.
He emphasised that faith in democracy is a value shared and encouraged by the United States.
Meanwhile, Mr. Renner expressed optimism about working with Jamaica to advance shared goals.
“I’m confident that together, with open and frank dialogue, we can strengthen our existing partnership to be even more resilient, forward-looking and impactful for the individual people and individual families in Jamaica the United States who we all serve,” he affirmed.
The Chargé d’Affaires added that he and his team, which includes newly appointed Political Economic Counsellor, George Mathews, and Defence Attache, Lieutenant Colonel Angel Lopez Jr., are looking forward to collaborating with Jamaican partners “to make a more prosperous, safe and secure future for both Jamaica and the United States.”
Mr. Renner is a career diplomat who has been a member of the U.S. Department of State since 1997.
He most recently served as the Consul General at the US Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico, and has had overseas postings in Lagos, Nigeria; Santiago, Chile; Bogota, Colombia and Toronto, Canada.