PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday described the raising of the American flag at the new United States Embassy in Nassau as a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship between The Bahamas and the United States.

Marking the 238th anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution, Mr Davis said the new compound stands as more than a government office.

“The raising of the United States flag over this new Embassy is a public reaffirmation of friendship,” he said. “It tells the people of The Bahamas that the United States is here, and will remain here, as a partner and as a friend who stands with us in good times and in hard times.”

The Prime Minister noted the deep historical and cultural connections between the two countries, highlighting the role of Bahamians in Miami’s early history and the long-standing Bahamian diaspora in the United States. “The majority of the signatures on the Charter incorporating the city of Miami were Bahamians, and our diaspora has long been woven into the fabric of American society,” he said.

He stressed that the partnership has endured through crises and continues to be central to regional stability. “Our two nations have walked together for many decades. We have stood together after storms and disasters. We have worked together to keep our seas safe, to guard against crime, and to strengthen our borders. Our police, defence force, and law enforcement agencies work shoulder-to-shoulder with their American colleagues. These are partnerships that save lives and protect communities,” he said.

Mr Davis added that the relationship goes far beyond security. “It is carried in the Bahamian student who studies at an American university, in the American family who comes to our islands and feels at home, in the businesses that bring our economies closer together, and in the everyday exchanges that remind us how much we share in common.”

He said the Embassy will serve as “a place where cooperation deepens, where ideas are exchanged, and where the friendship between our peoples grows stronger,” standing as a daily reminder of America’s commitment to The Bahamas.

“When the American flag is raised today, I will see the sign of a friend. I will see the reminder that in this uncertain world, there are relationships we can count on. And I will see a promise that together, our two nations can build a safer, more prosperous, and more hopeful future for our people,” he said.

Extending congratulations on the opening of the new Embassy, the Prime Minister said: “This day will serve as a daily reminder of the bond between our two countries, a bond of friendship, a bond of trust, and a bond that we intend to keep strong for generations to come.”