Jamaica and Mexico are two American nations with a common history. Both nations had been under control of the Spanish Empire and Jamaica was governed from the Viceroyal of New Spain based in Mexico City. In May 1655, Jamaica became under British rule until its independence in August 1962. Diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Mexico were established on 18 March 1966. At the time, Mexico saw Jamaica as a leader of English speakingCaribbean nations. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, both nations have worked together in numerous international forums such as the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Organization of American States where in 1970s, both Jamaica and Mexico were the only nations to actively protest against the exclusion of Cuba from the OAS and called for the normalization of relations with the Cuban government. In 1974, Mexican PresidentLuis Echeverría paid an official visit to Jamaica. In 1975, Jamaican Prime MinisterMichael Manley paid a visit to Mexico. Since then, there have been several high-level visits between leaders of both nations. In March 2016, both nations celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations.
Both nations have signed several bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on the Suppression of Visa Requirements for Ordinary Passport Holders ; Agreement on Trade ; Agreement on Tourism Cooperation ; Agreement on Cultural Cooperation ; Agreement of Cooperation to Combat Drug Trafficking and Drug Dependency ; Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation ; Agreement on the Suppression of Visa Requirements for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders and an Agreement of Air Transportation.
Trade
In 2017, total trade between Jamaica and Mexico amounted to $178 million USD. In 2015, Mexican companies invested over $200 million USD in Jamaica, mostly in the tourism and airports industry. In 2016, the Mexican government provided Jamaica with a $1.8 million USD grant for a Riverton Road rehabilitation project. Mexican multinational companies such as Cemex and Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico operate in Jamaica.
