The Donald J. Trump administration in the United States has congratulated Mia Mottley’s election as the new Barbados prime minister.
“We congratulate Mia Mottley on her election as the next prime minister of Barbados in the May 24 general election vote,” said Heather Nauert, a spokesperson for the United States Department of State, in a statement on Friday.
“Ms. Mottley makes history as Barbados’ first female prime minister,” she noted. “We congratulate the Barbadian people on participating in another free and fair election and for their commitment to democratic values.”
Nauert said the United States and Barbados “enjoy a strong partnership, based on our shared democratic values and commitment to peace and security.
“We applaud Ms. Mottley’s stated intent to address fiscal transparency, and we look forward to collaborating with Barbados to enhance economic partnerships and private sector investment,” she said.
Nauert said the United States also values “the productive relationship” it built during Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s administration, and look forward to working with Mottley’s government.
After leading the Barbados Labor Party (BLP) to a massive landslide victory over Stuart’s Democratic Labor (DLP) in Thursday’s general elections, Mottley was sworn on Friday as Barbados’ new prime minister. The DLP won all seats in the 30-seat Legislature.
Mottley joined four women who have led Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries: The late Dame Mary Eugenia Charles of Dominica and Janet Jagan of Guyana; and Portia Simpson Miller and Kamla Persad Bissessar, of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, respectively.
Mottley was expected to announce her Cabinet over the weekend.
