KINGSTON, Jamaica — United States Ambassador to Jamaica Luis G Moreno issued a statement a short while ago congratulating Jamaica’s new prime minister, Andrew Holness, on his recent electoral victory and being sworn in as prime minister.

“I echo Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson in commending the Jamaican people for their dedication to democracy as demonstrated in the free, fair, and calm general election on February 25th,” the US ambassador said.

He pointed out that the United States and Jamaica share responsibility for enhancing citizen security in both countries and stressed “our commitment to enabling broad-based economic prosperity through growth in the bilateral trade relationship and US direct investment in Jamaica.

“As President Obama has underscored, the American and Jamaican people share strong bonds of friendship and, across the US Government, we look forward to working with the new prime minister on bilateral, regional and global issues,” Moreno said.

Prime Minister Holness was sworn in a short while ago by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen on the lawns of King’s House in St Andrew.