The United States and Jamaica have signed a Status of Forces Agreement to formalize and strengthen their bilateral security partnership. The agreement follows discussions between U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Jamaican Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang during a meeting held on Aug. 12, 2026, at the Americas Counter Cartels Coalition Forum in Panama.
The agreement serves as an international instrument that establishes the specific terms under which members of the United States military may be temporarily present in Jamaica for mutually agreed activities. These activities include joint operations and various training exercises. With this signing, Jamaica joins more than 120 partner nations that maintain similar agreements with the United States.
The pact reinforces a long history of security cooperation between the United States and the Jamaica Defence Force. Past collaborative efforts have included professional exchanges, humanitarian assistance, disaster response activities, and joint military training.
Officials indicated that the agreement is intended to serve as a deterrent to regional criminal organizations and narco-terrorists involved in the trafficking of drugs, weapons, and people. The status of forces framework provides a modern and predictable structure to further enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including defense cooperation, regional security, and disaster response.
