José María Fernández López de Turiso
I am pleased to welcome you to the website of the Embassy of Spain in Kingston. On this website, you will be able to find information of interest on all the services offered by the Embassy and on its activities. Additionally you will find useful information on Spain and Jamaica, including the ever-important travel recommendations.
Mission
As Ambassador of Spain to Jamaica, it is my honor to represent the Kingdom of Spain in Jamaica and simultaneously in Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Dominica, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. I am also the Permanent Representative of Spain to/at the International Seabed Authority, whose headquarters are based in Kingston. My main roles include facilitating bilateral relations, promoting the interests of Spain at all levels (political, economic, cultural, educational, human…) and ensuring the provision of care and assistance to our fellow citizens, as is necessary.
Vision
For the accomplishment of the mission entrusted to us, our Embassy has a Political and a Consular Section, staffed by a professional and competent team. We are driven by the will of public service and we aim to meet the needs of Spanish citizens and companies based on the criteria of efficiency, speed, objectivity and the guarantee of rights.
Message from the Ambassador
Spain and Jamaica share a common history from the 15th century. On that basis, both countries have built a relationship of mutual appreciation and respect. Today we enjoy dynamic and fruitful relations.
Jamaica is for Spain an important and valuable partner, with which we share values and principles that enable us to work together for an international society advancing towards peace, sustainable development and respect for international order based on regulations.
Both countries share a mutual commitment to work towards the construction of fairer, more inclusive, digitized and climate change resilient societies. Spain, together with its citizens and enterprises, also plays a crucial role in the economic and social development of Jamaica, as well as in the development of its tourism sector.
I would like to highlight the significant role of The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation (SJF), established in the year 2006 by major Spanish investors in the island, whose motto is “Caring, Supporting, Educating." The SJF continues to set the pace with regards to social and corporate responsibility, which characterizes our enterprises in Jamaica.
In my capacity as Honorary President of the SJF I will seek to keep strengthening relations between Spanish investors and the Jamaican society through cultural, educational, environmental and social development initiatives to ensure proper visibility and impact in the local communities of Jamaica.
Likewise, by means of the Embassy of Spain in Kingston, we hope Spain continues to be seen for what it is: a modern, diverse and fair country, committed and prosperous, with a great capacity for leadership in the economy, in tourism, culture, science, environmental protection and conservation and sport.
Before all else, we want to be for Jamaica a friendly country that is trusted and loved.
Finally, I would like to invite you to follow us on this website and on social media: Instagram (embspainjamaica), X (@EmbEspJamaica) and Facebook (Embajada de España en Jamaica).
I encourage you to stay up-to-date with all of the latest news, events and activities of this Embassy. Of course, please feel free to contact us via email, as needed: emb.kingston@maec.es
CURRICULUM VITAE
Born in Oviedo (Asturias) in 1963.
He holds a Bachelor in Philosophy from the University of los Andes de Bogotá (Colombia) in 1987. He joined the Diplomatic Service in 1991. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Italian and he has studied German and Arabic.
He has been assigned to the diplomatic representations in Namibia, Tunisia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Italy and United Kingdom. He has been Head of the Department of Cooperation with the Mediterranean and Arab World at the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and Deputy General Director for the Maghreb at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAUEC). He held the position of General Director for Planning and Evaluation of Development Policies at the MAUEC and then Director for Sectorial Cooperation, Gender and NGOs at the AECID.
He has worked as a Foreign Policy Advisor for non-Hispanic Caribbean relations at the Office of the Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Latin America. In 2013, he was appointed Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago with concurrent accreditation in Guyana, Suriname, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia and Grenada. He was also appointed Permanent Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), to the Association of the Caribbean States and to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).