Caribbean News
Social Media, Access to Guns & Lack of Focus on Young Men are accelerants to Crime says Jamaica’s Andrew Holness
By Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TrinidadandTobago, April 21, 2023 – Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica at the CARICOM Regional Symposium on crime said there is a “huge deficit presently in the architecture of our state, to treat with Crime and Violence, from a legislative point of view, from a law enforcement point of view and from a social intervention point of view.
During the panel discussion, he explained that the state must address how it will go about reformation to deal with the evolving problem of Crime and Violence to which he identified two “new accelerants,” the easy access to lethal weapons for citizens, particularly guns, and the evolution of social media; “the dissemination of information, that could influence or give insight to the use of violence.”
Holness stated that the epidemic of Crime and Violence has been exacerbated by the uncontrolled influx of illegal firearms, “small arms and light weapons.”
He hinted at the irony of how easy it is for criminals to obtain illegal guns despite the fact that they are not manufactured in our region.
For reference, statistics from Jamaica can be used. He revealed that in the last 10 decades, a total of 8,036 guns were seized and 12,641 Jamaican citizens were killed by illegal firearms.
Additionally, in his speech, the Jamaican Prime Minister highlighted that the last few decades have seen a rise in crime and the use of fatal weapons, further stating that the nature of violence has changed for which the region’s Law Enforcement, Justice System, Public Health Systems and Education and Social Intervention Systems are not prepared to handle, hinting to the lack of agility in the system to handle Crime.
In comparing the effects of Crime and Violence to diseases, Holness revealed that in Jamaica it is among the 10
causes for seeking medical attention and a leading cause of deaths.
During his address, leader of the largest English speaking country in the Caribbean repeatedly characterised Crime and Violence as threats to the Caribbean state, undermining its ability to deliver services as well as weakening citizens’ confidence in it for protection.
Not only that, he points to the fact that it threatens the region’s brand for tourism, “a safe place to visit.”
It is for these reasons and more importantly the continuous loss of lives of Caribbean people why Holness, who became Jamaica’s youngest elected prime minister in 2016, urged the region to make the necessary changes.
The Caribbean jurisprudence as he stated, was not designed to deal with Crime of this nature and magnitude and so legislative reform is required. He says the region is trapped in an “inherited archaic” system from which a break is needed in order to create our own laws to deal with our own problems.
And, he strongly expressed that there needs to be political consensus in the region on how to address Crime and Violence, separate from the competitive political space, to aid in long-term solutions.
He further maintained that the war on guns must be as strong as the war on drugs if the region is going to see progress.
In addition to that, he says the region should invest more time into preventing illegal substances from getting to other countries and not enough time on preventing guns from coming into “our countries.”
Prime Minister Holness also called on the region to put their “money where our threats lie,” and that the Governments should consider increasing investments on National Security.
Important points were also made regarding the reform of the education system and social services and to put more focus on Caribbean young males, according to Public Health evidence, as males are more prone to be involved in violence and make up most of the Criminal population according to statistics (90 percent of young males are perpetrators and victims).
To this, Holness expressed that something is wrong with the socialization of Caribbean males to which Public policy must fashion an urgent response.
Ahead of the Jamaican Prime Minister’s presentation at the Regional Symposium: Violence as a Public Health Issue – The Crime Challenge held at the Hyatt Regency, Trinidad was an opening session statement by his Commission of Police, Antony Anderson of Jamaica.
By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
September 28, 2026 – Wall Street initially flinched at the $3-billion handshake. But in a matter of days, it was smoother sailing.
Perhaps the bigger Caribbean business story is not what Sandals Resorts International is getting from the deal. It is who is writing the
cheque — and what that says about what Gordon “Butch” Stewart built.
As reports of Royal Caribbean Group’s Sandals deal circulated Tuesday, RCL shares plunged 6.14 percent from Monday’s $250.25 close to $234.89, on sharply elevated trading.
When the agreement became official Wednesday — approximately $3 billion for a 50 percent equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts — shares slipped another 1.95 percent to $230.30 and touched $222.22 intraday. Investors were digesting both the size of the investment and committed debt financing secured through Morgan Stanley.
But by Thursday, RCL rebounded 3.77 percent, with shares continuing their recovery Friday to finish the week around $243. Analysts were also looking ahead: JPMorgan reportedly raised its RCL price target from $345 to $394, while Citi placed the company on a 90-day positive catalyst watch.
And just who is RCL?
Royal Caribbean Group is a global vacation giant, publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange with a market value of roughly $65 billion. Its portfolio includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, alongside private destinations and an
expanding vacation platform.
So when a company of that scale commits $3 billion for only half of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, the transaction puts a striking financial marker on one of the Caribbean’s greatest home-grown hospitality success stories.
The deal, expected to close in early 2027, creates a 50-50 partnership with the Stewart family and takes Royal Caribbean deeper into the all-inclusive resort business.
Butch Stewart started Sandals in Jamaica in 1981 believing a Caribbean company could compete with the world’s best.
Forty-five years later, one of the world’s biggest vacation companies is prepared to pay $3 billion just to own half of what he built.
Now that’s the handshake that does more than seal a deal — it cements a legacy.
Caribbean News
Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts Announce Landmark Partnership to Accelerate Their Leading Vacation Experiences
Royal Caribbean Group Investment to Advance Sandals and Beaches’ Growth and Broaden the Group’s Vacation Portfolio
Montego Bay, Jamaica and Miami, September 24, 2026 – Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) and Sandals Resorts today announced the signing of an agreement to form a partnership in the all-inclusive resort space with a 50% investment from Royal Caribbean Group. Building on Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ more than four decades of leadership in Caribbean hospitality, the joint venture will create new opportunities for continued resort growth while broadening the experiences across Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform.
The partnership brings together two of the travel industry’s most celebrated vacation companies, pairing Sandals and Beaches’ all-inclusive resort expertise with Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform, including industry-leading brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea – a portfolio of private destinations, new river cruising offering, and an industry-first loyalty program. United in a shared history in the Caribbean and connected by a love for their communities, the companies will offer travelers an unparalleled collection of cruise, private destination and resort experiences, serving guests across more vacation occasions and establishing their undisputed leadership in Caribbean vacations.
The joint venture expands Royal Caribbean Group into an adjacent vacation category, growing its participation in the approximately $2 trillion global vacation market, and meets the growing global demand for Sandals and Beaches Resorts by accelerating their expansion. The partnership will include Sandals and Beaches’ collection of premier all-inclusive properties across the Caribbean, and the companies will explore opportunities to broaden distribution, deepen guest engagement, and make it easier for travelers to discover vacation experiences offered across both portfolios.
“For nearly 60 years, we’ve reimagined what a vacation can be, constantly expanding the ways we inspire our guests to explore, connect and create lifelong memories,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “We have been building a vacation platform that brings joy to millions of people around the world and creates meaningful relationships that last with our guests. Our partnership with
Sandals and Beaches Resorts is an important next step on that journey – bringing together two iconic leading vacation companies to further strengthen and grow one of the most admired resort portfolios in the world. The Stewart family has created powerful and beloved brands, and we are honored to build on that legacy. Together, we see tremendous opportunity to expand the reach of Sandals and Beaches Resorts and continue turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.”
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality. Today is proof of how far that vision can go,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. “This partnership is the natural next step in building on that conviction. It gives us the ability to grow faster with a partner that shares our values of exceptional hospitality, long-term investment, and the power of enduring brands. Together, we will introduce more guests to Sandals and Beaches Resorts while creating even more extraordinary experiences for those who have made our resorts part of their lives for decades.” Stewart added, “As we continue to grow, we will remain true to what has always defined us: delivering authentic vacations that exceed expectations while creating opportunities for our team members, travel advisor partners and the communities we call home. The future has never been brighter, and I know this moment would make my father incredibly proud.”
The joint venture will be governed by a board under the shared leadership of Stewart and Liberty. Stewart will maintain a leadership role in
guiding the company’s long-term strategic growth as Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Existing reservations, loyalty programs, resort operations and cruise operations will continue as usual, with the partnership bringing additional resources to support future opportunities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Royal Caribbean Group will acquire a 50% equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for approximately $3 billion, representing a forward EBITDA multiple of approximately 10x. Royal Caribbean Group has secured committed debt financing from Morgan Stanley to fund the investment. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions, and is expected to be accretive to earnings next year.
BofA Securities and PJT Partners acted as financial advisors, and Latham & Watkins and Jones Day acted as legal advisors to the Sandals Group. Perella Weinberg Partners and Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor to Royal Caribbean Group.
PHOTO CAPTION: Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, mark the signing of an agreement to form a landmark partnership that expands Royal Caribbean Group into the all-inclusive resort space and supports the future growth of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The signing took place at Royal Caribbean Group’s new headquarters in Miami, with the city’s skyline in the background.
The Caribbean tourism deal first reported as a possibility on Tuesday is now a signed agreement. Royal Caribbean Group plans to pay
approximately US$3 billion for a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, putting the value of the business at about US$6 billion. The purchase is expected to close in early 2027, subject to approvals.
Founded in Jamaica by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart in 1981, the resort business has a presence across nine Caribbean destinations, including Jamaica, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Sandals has described its workforce as nearly 20,000 people, most of them Caribbean nationals.
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality,” said Adam Stewart in the announcement carried by PR Newswire. He will remain executive chairman, while the Stewart family retains a stake. The companies say existing reservations and resort operations will continue as usual.
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