US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport earlier this evening.

He was greeted by Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith and her opposition counterpart Lisa Hanna.

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US Secretary of State to meet PM Holness amid criticism of divisiveness

United States Secretary of State, mike pompeo, is expected in the island this evening ahead of talks with Prime Minster, Andrew Holness, tomorrow.

This amid criticism from some Caribbean leaders.

Barbados was invited to that meeting but Prime Minister Mia Mottley declined, noting that the US did not invite all members of Caricom and called the meeting an attempt to divide the regional group.

Mr. Pompeo will meet with Prime Minister Holness, conduct a multi-lateral roundtable discussion with Caribbean leaders, and deliver remarks on US / Caribbean relations.

The Secretary of State will land here at the Norman Manely International Airport in Kingston, in a few minutes.

Amid tight security, embassy officials, journalists and other state officials awaited the arrival of Mr. Pompeo.

Tomorrow morning, he and the Prime Minister will host a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister.

Then in the afternoon, Mr. Pompeo will host a policy speech and discussion on US Caribbean relations, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

The secretary’s policy speech will highlight the Caribbean region’s critical importance to the United States, the shared values and commitment to strengthen ties.

Mr. Pompeo’s visit comes amid controversy over reports that the Secretary of State will be holding discussions with Caribbean leaders, but there is no clear indication as to which other Caribbean leaders, in addition to Mr. Holness, will be at the meeting.