Press Releases 2008

U.S. Department of State Official to visit Jamaica

The U.S. Embassy announces that Velia De Pirro, Director of Caribbean Affairs in the U.S. Department of State, will be in Jamaica on an official visit, October 29 -31, 2008.

Ms. De Pirro will meet with government leaders, business representatives and members of the press.  She will discuss a range of issues of common concern including counter-narcotics and hemispheric security, crime, corruption and policy initiatives to support economic development in Jamaica.

Ms. De Pirro joined the United Stated Foreign Service in October, 1983 and assumed her position as director of Caribbean Affairs in August 2007.  During her time in the Foreign Service she has been assigned to Jamaica, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Mexico, Bosnia, and most recently Geneva, Switzerland as political counselor at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. 

She has also had a number of assignments in the U.S. Department of State, including Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Deputy Director of Canadian Affairs, and Political Officer in the Office of Cuban Affairs.