The ambassador of Spain to Jamaica is the official representative of the Kingdom of Spain to Jamaica. It also represents Spain to Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Commonwealth of Dominica and the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Additionally, it represents Spanish interests before the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
Jamaica was part of the Spanish Empire until the mid-17th century, and this island, along with other Caribbean territories, remained part of the Columbus family's heritage —the Duchy of Veragua and the Marquessate of Jamaica— until the 1550s, when they reverted to the Crown. Since the 1650s, it was a British colony, and the formal diplomatic relations were channeled through the Court of St James's.
After the independence of Jamaica in 1962, Spain recognized the country and established diplomatic relations in 1967, creating a non-resident embassy in Kingston. During this period, the ambassador was posted in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In 1977, Spain established a resident embassy in Kingston. In 1994, when the ISA was founded, Spain accredited its ambassador as its permanent representative.
Jurisdiction
: The Embassy of Spain in Kingston represents Spain to the Jamaican authorities and it has a Consular Section that provides consular assistance to the Spanish residents in the island of Jamaica. In addition, there is an honorary consular agent in Montego Bay. Both the ambassador and the consul in Kingston are accredited and supervise the diplomatic and consular affairs of the following countries. : Spain and Antigua and Barbuda established diplomatic relations in 1988 and, the following year, Spain established an embassy, resident in Kingston. Consular services are provided by an Honorary Vice-Consulate in Ffryes Estate, Saint Mary. : Diplomatic relations with both countries were established on 1 December 1976 and, in March 1978, Spain created the non-resident Embassy in Nassau. To assist Spaniards in the Commonwealth, there is an honorary consulate at the Lyford Financial Centre (West Bay, Nassau). : Diplomatically united since 1980, the ambassador to Jamaica serves as ambassador to Dominica since 1986. : Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1987. An honorary consulate in Charlestown, Nevis serves this jurisdiction. International Seabed Authority: Since its establishment in 1994, the ambassador to Jamaica has served as permanent representative of Spain to the ISA. In the past, this embassy was also accredited to Barbados (1986–2001), Grenada (1986–2001), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (1987–2001) and Saint Lucia (1987–2011).
List of ambassadors AmbassadorTermNominated byAppointed byAccredited toThe ambassador to Haiti from 1964 to 1971.1Mariano Sanz Briz24 June 1972()Gregorio López-BravoFrancisco FrancoFlorizel Glasspole2Valentín Alejandro Alzina de Boschi12 September 1977()3Joaquín Cervino Santías15 March 1983()The Marquess of OrejaJuan Carlos I4Juan Lugo Roig25 July 1987()Fernando Morán5Ignacio Masferrer y Sala21 January 1989()Francisco Fernández Ordóñez616 December 1992()720 July 1996()Javier SolanaHoward Cooke823 June 2001()Abel Matutes9Rafael Adolfo Jover y de Mora-Figueroa5 July 2005()Josep Piqué1018 September 2010()Miguel Ángel MoratinosKenneth O. Hall117 June 2014()Patrick Allen12Aníbal Jiménez Abascal11 December 2015†()José Manuel García-Margallo -Carmen Rives Ruiz-Tapiador1 April 2017()Charge d'affaires13Josep María Bosch Bessa2 December 2020()Alfonso DastisFelipe VIPatrick Allen146 November 2024()Arancha González Laya15presentJosé Manuel Albares
See also Jamaica–Spain relations The Bahamas–Spain relations Marquess of Jamaica
Notes
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