Kingston: April 4, 2018,

 

Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has congratulated economist and politician, Epsy Campbell Barr on her election as Costa Rica’s Vice President.

 

The new Vice President who is the first black female to hold that post in Latin America, is named after her paternal grandmother, who migrated from Jamaica to Costa Rica.

 

Minister Johnson Smith referred to her election as “a new political landmark, as the first woman of afro-descent to be elected to such high office throughout Latin America”. In saluting her accomplishments, the Minster noted that the Vice President is an inspiration to women across the world who have fought for centuries to be recognised on the basis of their manifest achievements in numerous spheres of endeavour, particularly in the realm of government and politics.

 

The Foreign Minister further assured the Vice President of Jamaica’s celebration of her election which has made us proud. “Jamaica has maintained a long and close friendship with Costa Rica and we look forward to working with you and your Government to build on this relationship, as our two countries seek new avenues to deepen our bilateral cooperation and collaboration at the regional and multilateral levels for the benefit of our peoples”, stated Minister Johnson Smith in her letter addressed to the Vice-President designate.

 

The Jamaican Foreign Minister also noted Campbell Barr’s acknowledgement of responsibility not only to the people of African descent in Costa Rica, but also to  Afro Latinos throughout Latin America.

 

Ms. Campbell Barr served as president from 2005-2010 of the Citizen’s Action Party (PAC) of which she is a founding member. Prior to her election to the Vice presidency, she served as a deputy in the Legislative Assembly.

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Contact: Ann-Margaret Lim: 499-0625