Foreign Secretary to announce funding for climate and security projects in four countries.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is embarking on a seven-day trip to the Caribbean and South America, aimed at deepening UK ties with the region and focusing on key issues such as climate change, security, and democracy. The trip will take him to Jamaica, Colombia, Chile, and Brazil, where he will announce new funding initiatives to address environmental and security challenges.

In Jamaica, Cleverly will unveil £15 million in funding for a violence prevention partnership targeting organised crime and £7 million to help protect the island from flooding and coastal erosion. The visit marks the first time a UK foreign secretary has visited the Caribbean since 2017.

Cleverly’s South American leg of the trip will start with a visit to Colombia, where he is expected to announce UK support for peace efforts and climate action, particularly focusing on the protection of the Amazon rainforest. He will then travel to Chile, where he will deliver a keynote speech outlining the UK’s approach to Latin America and its long-standing relationship with the region.

The visit will conclude in Brazil, where Cleverly will sign a “climate partnership” agreement on green growth and travel to the Amazon. He will also show support for Brazil’s democracy, following the January attack on the National Congress by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

This trip comes at a significant time, marking the bicentenary of UK-Latin America relations. It also aligns with the UK’s broader post-Brexit strategy to enhance relations with key regions, including the Indo-Pacific and Latin America. While the UK’s entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was seen as a major trade development, Cleverly’s visit aims to reinforce deeper ties beyond trade, focusing on shared values of freedom, democracy, and environmental stewardship.

Cleverly emphasized the importance of these partnerships, stating that they are based on “shared values” and the need for collective action on global issues such as climate change and democracy protection. The trip highlights the UK’s commitment to strengthening its influence in the region and enhancing cooperation with like-minded nations.