Caribbean News
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Declares a State of Emergency
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#Jamaica, November 17, 2022 – A beefed up law enforcement presence is agreed now in Jamaica, as a inter and intra gang fighting has led to mushrooming crime and forced the Andrew Holness government administration to approach Parliament for the institution of a State of Emergency (SOE); it is to be strategically enacted for the worse
affected communities across Jamaica.
“A State of Public Emergency has been declared in the parishes of Clarendon, St. Catherine, and specified areas of Kingston & St. Andrew. A State of Public Emergency has also been declared in Western Jamaica comprising the parishes of St. James, Westmoreland & Hanover,” announced Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica on November 15.
The need for this very serious measure is capturing international attention, especially for tourists from the United States who flock to the popular Caribbean destinations in the millions; they have already been advised by Homeland Security that travel to the island is risky.
On Tuesday, Andrew Holness, Prime Minister stood to address the nation, saying, “As a people, we must recognize that the murder rate, the level of violence, public disorder, and challenge to the State is unusual, abnormal, and disruptive.”
The now instituted SOE is however being labelled the best way to contain the out of control violence, which is, according to head of the Jamaican Defence Force is viciously threatening the Jamaican way of life and leading livelihoods of the country, which is one of many grappling with gang-led crime. 
“Through our analysis and intelligence gathering, we continue to recognize the influence of gangs as a primary contributor to violence with illegal weapons and ammunition and their criminal and violent actions continue to be fueled by the ill-gotten gains of extortion, contract killings, lottery scamming and other forms of criminality. These gangs continue to engage with intense inter and intra gang conflicts which are the leading cause of high levels of murders and shootings across the country, said
Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral.
Jamaican officials said that 1,360 murders have taken place on the island between Jan. 1 and Nov. 13 of this year, which represents an increase of 6.8% from the same period in 2021. Gang violence is said to be the reason for 71% of those murders.
“The law abiding citizens need not fear the security forces. This SOE is for you, it will ease the burden of criminality in your community. Further we want to assure citizens that both the JDF and JCF are adequately trained and oriented to protect the human rights of all Jamaicans. Citizens will encounter various increased operational activities including but not limited to vehicle check points, mobile patrols and curfews,” said Wemyss-Gordon.
In a previous SOE, there had been public reports accusing law enforcers of ignoring and violating the rights of
ordinary Jamaicans; cases had been filed in the Supreme Court making the SOE an unwelcomed response to the overflowing crime.
Still, the overarching concern for officials speaking to the nation was to cut down the illegal activities and to recapture peace in Jamaican society; there was an appeal for residents to be supportive of the effort.
“Criminal gangs are morphing and trying to influence legitimate civil and public organizations.
Over the years, we have invested in the capacity of our security forces. Your government has increased the capital budget for national security, the size of both JCF and JDF, and our coastguard capabilities, among other investments; however, investments like these take time to materialize,” said the prime minister.
The current State of Emergency will remain for a period of one month.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Revenue from the Turks and Caicos’ Financial Services Sector will more than double in the next few years, if E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister gets his way. It ‘s one of the reasons the country is investing so much capital into getting off of the EU blacklist and becoming a secure trustworthy financial destination.
“The FSC’s revenues for 2020/21 was $10.5M— the figures for 2021/22, would be about similar,” he said. He further explained that $10.5 million from the FSC represented about 2.6 percent of the country’s 408.5-million-dollar
revenue. Though it increased to $14 million in the 2021/22 financial year, finance is still a small fry compared to tourism or even stamp duties but that will change, says Saunders.
“My revenue goal for the Government by the year 2029 [or] the election after the next election – is $500M. By that time, I want the financial sector (FSC) revenues to represent at least 5% ($25M). So that’s my goal for the financial sector by 2029.”
This goal, should it be met, would increase the Government’s revenue by 100 million dollars, a significant increase in spending power for local upgrades and improvements for Turks and Caicos residents and visitors.
Saunders says it’s time for the TCI to diversify its sources of revenue to make sure that what happened in the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw residents out of a job for months, will not happen again. Tourism now makes up around 80 percent of the country’s GDP. The Minister of Finance wants to push that down to 60 or even 50 percent.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#Haiti, March 17, 2023 – When a CARICOM delegation visited Haiti earlier this month, conspicuously absent was the Turks and Caicos Islands despite being one of the nations most directly affected by the multi-dimensional crisis there. There is no comment, as yet from the Premier, to say why this was the case.
Still, from the expedition, CARICOM heads of Government have informed that there will be lobbying in Africa for assistance in Haiti. They say they have decided that the best course of action for the Caribbean country is to bolster the Haitian National Police and act as intermediaries with Africa and the world. The decision follows a one day visit on February 27th, and a March 5th meeting chaired by the Bahamas.
CARICOM says during the trip delegates ‘met with a broad range of Haitian stakeholders to hear their views on the
way forward to a Haitian-led solution’. With that in mind it has made a decision on how to proceed.
“The Heads of Government agreed to support the Haitian National Police in their efforts to address the security situation. The focus of the Community will be the provision of training for the HNP and the provision of humanitarian assistance to HNP and the wider Haitian society, taking into account the challenging humanitarian and security situation”
It’s not clear yet where and how this training will take place. Also distinctly absent from the report, no more mention of boots on the ground from other countries despite CARICOM Member States indicating they were ready and willing should it come to that.
In addition, recognizing ‘the common historical experiences and the strong African-Caribbean relationship’ CARICOM says,
“Heads of Government also agreed to seek support from African countries for Haiti. They also agreed to work with the Governments of Canada and the United States as well as the UNDP”
Magnetic Media has reached out to the Premier’s Office to get a full debrief of the February 27th visit (led by Jamaica; including The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago) to learn of Turks and Caicos’ posture following the critical sessions.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Musicians from the New World Symphony will be in the Turks and Caicos in concert next month and residents are invited to attend in support of the future of Ashley’s Learning Center. 
A fairly young orchestral academy based in Miami, the New World Symphony was launched in the 1980s by 1987, Michael Tilson Thomas and Ted Arison,Carnival Cruises founder. From the 1500 applicants who vie for a spot each year, the symphony accepts around 35 music graduates annually for training fellowships.
A select few of those graduates will be in country on April 8th headlining at the Ashley’s Learning Center concert ‘We’re all in this together’. The concert which also feature local artistes will be held at Brayton Hall on Venetian Road from 6 pm to 8:30 pm
Tickets are available ON ISLEHELP $75 PER GENERAL SEAT $125 PER PREMIUM SEAT $195 PER GALLERY SEAT – with /FREFRESHMENTS.
For TICKET RESERVATIONs you can call: 649-341-2304 or email EVENTS@ASHLEYSLEARNINGCENTER.ORG
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