The nomination of controversial political figure and former TV anchor Kari Lake Halperin as the next United States ambassador to Jamaica has drawn mixed reactions from local commentators over what the potential appointment could mean for the island’s relations with Washington.

Lake Halperin is considered a MAGA (Make America Great Again) diehard, whose time as the head of the US Agency for Global Media saw her controversially move to terminate hundreds of jobs at global broadcaster Voice of America under the direction of US President Donald Trump.

Radio talk show host and director of Caribbean Immigrant Services, Irwine Clare, said Lake Halperin’s political history and hardline immigration stance make her a rigid candidate for the role, one who is willing to do what it takes to execute the US president’s agenda.