United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has hailed Jamaica’s support for US counter-drug operations, as Washington pushes for stronger regional cooperation to combat narco-terrorism across the Caribbean.

Hegseth made the remarks following a meeting with Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr Horace Chang, during his visit to Panama for the second Americas Counter Cartel Coalition Forum.

The US Department of War said Hegseth praised Jamaica’s support for US counter-drug operations and encouraged the country’s continued progress in countering narco-terrorism.