United States President Donald Trump has nominated Trinidad-born Jennifer Johnson-Carroll as the next US ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago.Former US ambassador Candace Bond officially left her post on January 20, 2025, and no appointment was made since the new Trump administration came into office.The White House issued a statement dated June 1, 2026, naming several nominees, including Johnson-Carroll of Florida, to serve as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.Johnson-Carroll is a former lieutenant governor of Florida who served under governor Rick Scott.The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) yesterday issued a news release welcoming Johnson-Carroll’s nomination.It noted that the nomination, which was formally submitted to the US Senate yesterday, marks an important step in the appointment process and reflects the continued importance of the long-standing relationship between T&T and the United States.AMCHAM T&T stated that as a native of Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago, Johnson-Carroll’s nomination is particularly noteworthy.“If confirmed by the United States Senate, she would become the first Trinidad and Tobago-born woman to serve as US Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago—a historic milestone that highlights the significant contributions of members of the Trinidad and Tobago diaspora on the international stage,” it stated.The release noted that Johnson-Carroll brings an accomplished record of public service and leadership.She previously served as the 18th lieutenant governor of Florida, where she made history as the first woman elected to the office and the first Caribbean-born person elected to statewide office in Florida.Throughout her career, she has held leadership positions in government, public policy, community engagement and advocacy, earning recognition for her commitment to public service and civic leadership.AMCHAM T&T stated that it recognises that the nomination must now proceed through the US Senate confirmation process, including review by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and subsequent consideration by the full Senate.“We look forward to the successful completion of that process and to welcoming a new United States Ambassador in the near future,” it stated.The chamber stated that the US remains one of T&T’s most important strategic partners, with deep and enduring ties spanning trade, investment, energy, security, education, technology and people-to-people connections.The relationship between the two countries continues to play a vital role in supporting economic growth, democratic values and regional cooperation, it added.AMCHAM T&T stated that it remains committed to advancing and strengthening the strong commercial and bilateral relationship between T&T and the US.The release concluded, “We look forward to working with the next US Ambassador to further enhance opportunities for collaboration, investment, innovation, and mutual prosperity between our nations.”BackgroundAccording to BlackPast.org, Johnson-Carroll was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on August 27, 1959.She emigrated to the United States in 1967, settling in Uniondale, New York. She began working at age 15, volunteering at a nursing home and later working as a cashier in a grocery store and an ordering clerk at AFM Bowling’s corporate headquarters in Long Island.After attending modelling school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Johnson-Carroll appeared in photo shoots, commercials and as an extra in films.In 1985, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of New Mexico. She moved to Florida the following year and obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from Kensington University in 1995. She later earned an MBA from St Leo University in 2008.In 1979, Johnson-Carroll enlisted in the United States Navy as a jet mechanic and retired in 1999 as a lieutenant commander aviation maintenance officer after 20 years of service.She entered elected office in 2003, becoming the first African-American female Republican elected in Florida’s history when she won a special election to the Florida House of Representatives. She represented the state’s 13th District until 2010.Johnson-Carroll also served as deputy majority leader, majority whip and chair of Florida’s Economic and Development Council, among other leadership roles.She made unsuccessful bids for the US House of Representatives in 2000 and 2002. Following her 2000 defeat, she was appointed director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, a position she held until July 2002.In September 2010, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott selected her as his running mate. She became Florida’s 18th lieutenant governor on January 4, 2011, making history as the first African-American woman elected to the position.However, Johnson-Carroll resigned in March 2013 after being questioned in connection with a federal investigation involving Allied Veterans of the World, a charity organisation that was later implicated in an illegal gambling and money laundering scandal. She was not criminally charged.Johnson-Carroll is married to Nolan Carroll Sr and the couple have three children.
T&T-born woman nominated as US envoy
United States President Donald Trump has nominated Trinidad-born Jennifer Johnson-Carroll as the next US ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago.Former US ambassador Candace Bond officially left her post on January 20,
TL;DRAI
Trump nominates Jennifer Johnson-Carroll, Trinidad-born, as next US ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago—first island-native woman to hold the post. The appointment strengthens US-Caribbean bilateral ties on trade, investment, and security amid regional partnership priorities.
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