Obama lands in Jamaica for first official visit, 2nd ever for U.S. president

KINGSTON, Jamaica, April 8 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama touched down in Kingston, Jamaica late Wednesday -- marking his first official visit to the Caribbean nation -- where he will discuss state security on a trip that will take him to Central America for a weekend summit.

Air Force One arrived in Kingston at 8:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday, where Obama was greeted by dignitaries and well-wishers. Shortly after his arrival, Obama boarded a helicopter that whisked him to a downtown hotel, where he met with employees of the U.S. Embassy.

A short time after his arrival, Obama visited the city's museum dedicated to reggae great Bob Marley.

Obama's visit marks his first time in Jamaica as president, and the first by any sitting president in more than three decades. In fact, the only other time a U.S. president has ever visited the island was made almost exactly 33 years ago -- when Ronald Reagan touched down in Kingston on April 7, 1982.

"I am overjoyed," said Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, the Miami Herald reported.

What might be discussed during Obama's visit isn't known because his visit is nothing more than a stopover on his way to the Summit of the Americas in Panama this weekend. Officials said Obama will meet with regional leaders in Jamaica Thursday before traveling on to Panama.

Security and energy, however, are expected to be two topics that are addressed, CNN reported Wednesday.

Jamaica's Caribbean neighbor, Cuba, though, might get some of the press coverage. The State Department has reportedly decided to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of nations it considers to sponsor terrorism -- something Obama has advocated for years.

"We feeling good, good," said Elvar Barnaby, 57, a worker at National Heroes Park. "We can't stop talking about him even though we are not going to get to see him."

Much of Kingston was brushed and spruced up for Obama's visit -- including new blacktop for city streets, trimmed foliage and shiny facades. The United States is a major trade partner for the Jamaican government but relations between the two soured a bit recently over the extradition of a Caribbean drug lord, the Herald reported.

"The Obama visit to Jamaica is largely, and I am not being cynical, a feel-good visit," said Rupert Lewis, a retired University of the West Indies professor. "I don't expect any grand announcements. But I am glad that he remembers there is this little island and some other little islands in the region."

Caricom, however -- a 15-member panel representing island interests -- are more hopeful that Obama's visit will produce more than just a photo opportunity.

"With economic growth as a main goal of the Community, discussions related to competitiveness with the Region's main trading partner is a significant element of the meeting." Caricom said in a statement. Leaders from the group will meet with Obama before he departs Thursday.