The United States Senate today confirmed former Arizona television news anchor and Republican politician Kari Lake as the next United States ambassador to Jamaica, approving her nomination in a 51-45 vote.

Lake, who was nominated by President Donald Trump in May, will succeed the current chargé d'affaires and become the chief representative of the United States in Kingston at a time when Washington has identified security cooperation, trade and China's growing influence in the Caribbean among its key regional priorities.

During her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in June, Lake pledged to focus on four main priorities if confirmed: protecting American citizens in Jamaica, strengthening cooperation against transnational crime, advancing US economic interests and countering China's expanding footprint in the region.