By Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Dr. Kent Francis relaxing in his office at the Colombian Embassy on 53 Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
Since he's been here for nearly four months, he's not exactly new but Dr. Kent Francis, the Colombian Ambassador to Jamaica, is still a bit low on the profile. So we sat down with the Ambassador to find out more about the man.
Fifty-six-year-old Dr. Francis is from the island of San Andres which is situated in archipelago. As he jokes, his home is closer to Jamaica than to Colombia. These islands were always considered Colombian territories but Ambassador Francis can remember a Jamaican influence from far back.
SAILORS
"Every night, sailors used to gather at our house and play dominoes. Losers had to sit and winners kept playing. They would tell us all about their travelling and Kingston and Jamaica. We would hear how the people were friendly."
Jamaica is the Ambassador's third posting as he was part of a delegation to the United Nations in 1987 and then he was Ambassador to Belize in 1994.
Responsible for 11 countries including Jamaica, he acknowledges that there is much work to be done, but he is looking forward to the challenge. "This is the only Colombian embassy with so many responsibilities. We need to find some key people from each one of the islands to be honorary consuls and from there to find Colombians so these people can serve their country. Of course, we would need to be in contact with them as well."
He is not a complete workaholic though, as he enjoys cycling immensely. In fact, he is confident that he can ride from his Jacks Hill residence to Port Royal. "Whenever I get back on Barbican Road to get back home, then the suffering starts, because now I have to climb."
CLOSENESS
He and his wife Cecilia have two sons, 29 and 23; the younger is looking to visit them, maybe in November. He is a big fan of Bob Marley and feels that reggae music keeps people even closer. It is this closeness that he feels will make his job easier.
"We think that anyone of the Caribbean countries we go to, we think we can open doors. It is easier to talk to your own people".
