A Gleaner source within the Washington Embassy confirmed Rubio’s visit but declined to comment further, noting that they were not authorised to speak on the matter.

The source did say, however, that Rubio is expected to meet with Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, among other government officials.

The US Department of State did not immediately respond to Gleaner queries about the visit. Only Thursday, Johnson Smith asserted that Jamaica’s Cuban medical cooperation programme is “not an example of trafficking”, amid the US visa restrictions on officials from countries that engage Cuban healthcare workers. (Jamaica Gleaner)