Carib Scope

标签： Jamaica

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  • Antigua security chiefs pledge country will not be a transit corridor for drugs

    Antigua security chiefs pledge country will not be a transit corridor for drugs

    ST JOHN’S, Antigua – In a powerful display of unity, the senior leadership of Antigua and Barbuda’s national security apparatus has issued a joint declaration of their continued resolve to combat narcotics trafficking and prevent the twin-island nation from being used as a transit point for illegal drugs.

    The comprehensive statement, representing the unified voice of the Royal Police Force, the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP), and the Immigration Department, contained a stern warning to criminal elements. The agencies emphatically stated, “We will not provide shelter for those who profit from it. We remain vigilant at sea, resolute in investigation, firm in enforcement and committed to cooperation with trusted partners—guided always by the law and the national interest.”

    Beyond reinforcing their operational posture, the security chiefs issued a direct appeal to citizens, urging the population to remain alert and to proactively report any suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities. This call for public cooperation underscores a strategy that blends robust enforcement with community engagement.

    The leadership further emphasized the nation’s active collaboration with regional and international partners to counter evolving transnational threats. The public was assured that all border control agencies and the defence force remain “fully engaged and vigilant to protect the nation, preserve the integrity of its financial and border systems and contribute responsibly to regional and international security.”

    Reaffirming its strategic commitments, the statement outlined Antigua and Barbuda’s firm dedication to safeguarding national and regional security through sustained action against a spectrum of crimes, including drug trafficking, money laundering, firearms trafficking, and organised crime. The agencies also highlighted their increased focus on emerging threats in the domains of cybercrime and irregular migration.

    The joint communication addressed the wider regional context, acknowledging that recent counter-narcotics initiatives by the United States have triggered media allegations concerning the potential corruption of Caribbean governments and leaders by narco-traffickers. In contrast to these reports, the statement presented the nation’s most recent national threat analysis, which continues to classify Antigua and Barbuda as a “low-risk jurisdiction.” This favorable classification was attributed to the country’s strong legal and regulatory framework, effective financial oversight, a comparatively low crime rate, and its active and meaningful international cooperation.

  • 20 years, 7,420 deaths

    20 years, 7,420 deaths

    Over a devastating 20-year period spanning from 2006 to 2025, Jamaica witnessed a staggering total of 7,420 road fatalities, equating to an average of one death per day. This harrowing statistic presents a profound public safety challenge for the Caribbean nation, which maintains a population under three million within its compact 4,244 square-mile territory.

    Official data released by the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) reveals an annual average of 371 deaths, or approximately 31 fatalities monthly. The figures across this two-decade timeline demonstrate alarming volatility, culminating in a record-shattering 488 deaths in 2022. The year 2012 marked the last instance where fatalities remained below 300, with 260 recorded deaths.

    The most recent five-year period from 2019 to 2023 proved particularly catastrophic, claiming 2,273 lives through traffic collisions. The annual breakdown shows: 440 deaths (2019), 433 (2020), 487 (2021), 488 (2022), and 425 (2023). While 2024 and 2025 saw a moderate decline with 365 and 374 deaths respectively, the numbers remain critically elevated.

    ITA analysis identifies five primary categories of road users disproportionately affected: motorcyclists, pedestrians, pedal cyclists, private vehicle occupants (both drivers and passengers), and pillion passengers. These groups collectively represent the most vulnerable participants in Jamaica’s transportation ecosystem.

    Detailed examination of the 2020-2025 period reveals motorcyclists suffered the heav losses with 814 fatalities (averaging 135 annually), followed by 500 pedestrian deaths (83 annually). Private motor vehicle drivers accounted for 451 fatalities (75 annually), while their passengers numbered over 300 deaths. Pedal cyclists recorded 141 deaths during this span, averaging 23 per year.

    Public passenger vehicle operators, frequently criticized for hazardous driving practices, experienced 50 fatalities (8 annually), though their passengers fared considerably worse with 88 deaths (15 annually).

    The ITA has pinpointed five predominant causes of traffic collisions: excessive speed without regard to road conditions; failure to maintain proper lane discipline; pedestrians walking or standing in roadways; careless right-turn maneuvers; and improper overtaking practices.

    From 2020-2025, speeding contributed to 670 fatalities, while lane indiscipline resulted in 509 deaths. Pedestrian positioning caused 195 fatalities, with improper right turns and overtaking accounting for 122 and 147 deaths respectively. An additional 913 fatalities were classified under ‘other’ causes, potentially including infrastructure deficiencies such as potholes and inadequate lighting.

    Notably, despite these alarming figures, Jamaica’s per capita fatality rate remains below the Caribbean and Latin American regional average of 19.2 per 100,000 population. Domestic statistics fluctuated between 10 per 100,000 inhabitants (2011) and 16 per 100,000 (2016), comparing favorably to the global average of 14.7 and significantly outperforming the European Union’s rate of 4.5 per 100,000 inhabitants.

  • JCF announces leadership changes

    JCF announces leadership changes

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant organizational restructuring, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) high command has executed comprehensive reassignments affecting numerous senior officers across multiple divisions and specialized units. The strategic realignment involves several Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and Superintendents, marking one of the most substantial command changes in recent times.

    Under the new deployment structure, ACP Christopher Phillips, previously Commander of the Area Five Division, has been transferred to lead the Area Three Division. His former position will be filled by ACP Howard Chambers, who relinquishes his role overseeing specialized operations. Simultaneously, ACP Calvin Allen, the outgoing Area Three Division commander, assumes responsibility for specialized operations.

    Further changes see ACP Gary McKenzie transitioning from his leadership role at the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) to take charge of the strategic operations portfolio. Superintendent Micheal Campbell, formerly Commanding Officer for the St Thomas Division, will now head the PSTEB.

    The reshuffle extends to divisional leadership with Superintendent Rohan Ritchie, previously in command of the Kingston Central Division, taking over the St Thomas Division. Superintendent Mishka Forbes moves from strategic operations to assume control of the Kingston Central Division.

    Additionally, the reorganization affects sixteen Deputy Superintendents and one Assistant Superintendent, who have been transferred to various sections and formations within the force. These strategic reassignments are scheduled to take effect on January 21, representing a comprehensive repositioning of leadership assets within Jamaica’s law enforcement infrastructure.

  • HEAD-TURNERS

    HEAD-TURNERS

    A poignant narrative of full-circle moments and transnational talent acquisition unfolded at the STETHS Sports Complex in Santa Cruz last weekend. Thirteen years after attending a football showcase as a hopeful player, Alex Smith returned to Jamaica as a recruiter for West Virginia’s Concord University, now seeking to identify the next generation of talent. He was joined by Kris Bertsch, head coach of NCAA Division 1 program Lindenwood University, among 25 American coaches scouting at the ISSA football showcase.

    The event featured strategically designed matches to maximize evaluation opportunities. Saturday’s proceedings included games between all-urban and all-rural selections, with one match dedicated to academically high-achieving players and another featuring top performers from the daCosta and Manning Cup competitions. At the request of the American delegation, matches were played in three 35-minute periods, concluding with a 20-minute scrimmage for coaches to reassess players who had caught their attention.

    For Smith, the recruitment mission carries profound personal significance. Having transitioned from Anchovy High to Cornwall College before pursuing his American college career, he understands the transformative power of these opportunities firsthand. “It not just changed my life, it changed the life of my family,” Smith told the Jamaica Observer. His recruitment strategy specifically targets wingers with the natural speed and aggression synonymous with Jamaican football, while emphasizing that academic performance remains equally crucial for successful matriculation into the US college system.

    Bertsch’s Lindenwood program boasts established connections with Jamaican talent, having previously developed standout players like Akeem Priestly and Brian White. He praised the local organization for effectively identifying appropriate candidates beforehand, noting that while his program represents the NCAA Division 1 level, talented players often progress through various divisional tiers before reaching peak competitive environments.

    Both coaches expressed considerable admiration for the talent displayed despite challenging conditions. Bertsch particularly noted players’ resilience during rain-affected matches on deteriorating surfaces, acknowledging the difficulty of performing alongside unfamiliar teammates in showcase environments. The event not only highlighted Jamaica’s continued production of exceptional football talent but also underscored the growing institutional pathways connecting Caribbean athletic promise with American educational opportunities.

  • JC impress with dominant display at season’s first track meet

    JC impress with dominant display at season’s first track meet

    Jamaica College’s track and field squad has emphatically opened their season with a commanding performance at the Purewater/R. Danny Williams/JC Meet, delivering a strong statement about their championship aspirations. Competing at Ashenheim Stadium in St. Andrew over the weekend, the Dark Blues showcased exceptional depth and talent across multiple events, signaling their determination to reclaim the boys’ athletics title in April.

    Head coach Duane Johnson expressed considerable satisfaction with his team’s balanced and powerful showing, describing the performances as ‘fantastic all around.’ The team demonstrated remarkable improvement from last year’s third-place finish, with standout achievements including record-breaking throws and jumps. Michael-Andre Edwards emerged as a double winner in Class One long jump (7.20m) and triple jump (15.58m), while Joseph Salmon set a new discus record with a throw of 66.32m.

    The squad’s enhanced coaching staff, now featuring former Calabar sprint specialist Corey Bennett and ex-world 400m champion Bertland Cameron from St. Jago High, appears to be making an immediate impact. The team displayed particular strength in middle distance events, with Samuel Creary winning the Class One 800m (1:52.56) and Rickardo Lee delivering an upset victory over Kingston College’s Julius Itubo in the Class Three 800m (2:02.94).

    Additional event victories came from Nasir D’Aguilar (Class Two discus), Isaac Reid (pole vault), Tariq Creary (Class Three 400m), Kai Kelly (Class Two 100m), and Jaidi James (high jump). Despite the impressive start, Johnson maintains a measured perspective, noting that with two months remaining until the championship meet, the team will continue refining their performance to peak at the right moment.

  • Tesha Miller trial now set for February 2

    Tesha Miller trial now set for February 2

    In a decisive ruling on Monday, Supreme Court Justice Dale Palmer mandated that the high-profile trial of alleged Klansman faction leader Tesha Miller and his 24 co-defendants will commence on February 2, 2026. This conclusion follows a contentious adjournment application by the Crown prosecution, which had sought to postpone proceedings until June due to unresolved evidentiary materials.

    Justice Palmer, presiding in the Home Circuit Division, expressed firm opposition to extended delays, stating that such a move would not ‘aid in the just disposal of the matter.’ He emphasized that the case had already been before the court for nearly two years, with a trial date originally set in April of the previous year. The judge acknowledged prosecution arguments concerning outstanding DNA results, forensic reports from the Communications Forensics and Cybercrime Division (CFCD), crime scene materials, and transcripts, but determined that a two-week preparation window would suffice.

    The court’s decision incorporated considerations regarding prison access issues that have hampered defense attorneys’ ability to consult with their clients. Despite a April 2024 practice directive from Chief Justice Bryan Sykes authorizing electronic disclosure in criminal proceedings, defense counsel reported ongoing barriers in visiting incarcerated clients and sharing documentation. Justice Palmer noted these access issues were now being resolved, making the brief adjournment beneficial for defendant preparation.

    Prosecutors plan to call 99 witnesses, with the court approving subpoenas for 50 civilian witnesses and requiring police witnesses to be formally warned to appear. Meanwhile, bail was extended for accused medical doctor Paul Robinson, while other defendants attending via Zoom were remanded into custody.

    Miller, currently serving a 38-year sentence for orchestrating the 2008 murder of Jamaica Urban Transit Company Chairman Douglas Chambers, now faces additional charges under the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act, commonly known as the anti-gang legislation. The defendants are accused of participating in numerous criminal activities between August 2017 and August 2022 in St. Catherine, including murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, aggravated robbery, and firearms offenses.

  • Costa Rica says plot to assassinate president uncovered

    Costa Rica says plot to assassinate president uncovered

    Authorities in Costa Rica have announced the disruption of a serious threat against President Rodrigo Chaves just prior to the nation’s upcoming electoral process. Intelligence officials revealed on Tuesday that a credible assassination scheme was in development, allegedly involving a paid contract killer targeting the head of state.

    The security breach emerges during a highly sensitive period, with presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled within a fortnight. President Chaves, constitutionally prohibited from consecutive reelection, has endorsed former cabinet member Laura Fernandez as his preferred successor.

    This security alert coincides with diplomatic controversy surrounding President Chaves’s invitation to El Salvador’s leader Nayib Bukele. The Salvadoran president is expected in Costa Rica to participate in the inauguration of a new maximum-security prison facility inspired by his country’s controversial CECOT complex.

    Opposition factions have expressed apprehension regarding potential external influence in the electoral process, particularly criticizing Bukele’s involvement. The Salvadoran leader’s crackdown on gang violence has resulted in the detention of thousands without formal charges, drawing international scrutiny over human rights considerations.

  • Singer Kenneth Roxborough dies at 78

    Singer Kenneth Roxborough dies at 78

    The reggae music community mourns the loss of Kenneth Roxborough, founding member of the influential roots-reggae ensemble Wadada, who passed away in Chicago on January 5th at age 78. His wife of 18 years, Mirta Roxborough, confirmed to the Jamaica Observer that his death resulted from complications related to multiple health conditions.

    Mirta remembered her late husband as the quintessential dedicated musician, emphasizing that ‘He never stopped playing his guitar; he loved music,’ despite facing significant health challenges throughout his later years.

    This passing marks the second devastating blow to the original Wadada lineup within 17 months, following the death of fellow co-founder Franklin Thompson in August 2024 at 72 years of age.

    Roxborough’s musical legacy traces back to 1978 in Kingston’s Trench Town, where he formed Wadada alongside Denzil Williams on lead vocals and Franklin Thompson. The group quickly distinguished themselves with harmonious vocals that drew favorable comparisons to legendary Jamaican groups like The Wailers and The Wailing Souls.

    Their artistic journey included a landmark performance at Reggae Sunsplash in 1979 and the recording of their definitive album ‘Take A Stand.’ Wadada also collaborated with iconic producers Bunny Wailer and Freddie McGregor, creating recordings that would become part of reggae’s golden era.

    Born in Westmoreland, Jamaica, Roxborough’s career continued evolving after relocating to the United States. His creative output included socially conscious solo works such as ‘Discrimination,’ maintaining his artistic relevance across decades.

    Roxborough’s personal life reflected his international connections—he met Cuban-born Mirta in Miami in 2005 shortly after returning from Ethiopia, where Wadada had participated in the historic Africa Unite concert organized by the Marley family.

    He is survived by his wife Mirta, two sons, seven grandchildren, and multiple siblings. His passing represents the closing of a significant chapter in Jamaican music history, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence contemporary reggae artistry.

  • PNP mourns death of Ambassador Curtis Ward

    PNP mourns death of Ambassador Curtis Ward

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s political and diplomatic communities are mourning the passing of Ambassador Curtis Ward, who died Sunday night at his residence in Maryland, United States. The prominent intellectual and diplomat was celebrated for his exceptional contributions to Jamaica’s foreign policy discourse and international engagement.

    The People’s National Party (PNP) issued an official statement expressing profound grief over the loss, characterizing Ward as both a distinguished patriot and an influential voice within Jamaica’s diplomatic circles. Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Senator Donna Scott-Mottley, led the tributes, emphasizing Ward’s unique ability to contextualize complex global developments within appropriate historical and geopolitical frameworks.

    According to Senator Scott-Mottley, Ambassador Ward possessed remarkable analytical capabilities that made intricate international matters accessible to broader audiences. His expertise proved particularly valuable during periods of heightened global instability and uncertainty, where his insights consistently enriched public debate and informed high-level policymaking processes.

    “He represented a reliable source of thoughtful analysis on virtually any international subject,” Senator Scott-Mottley noted. “One could always reach out to him for clear explanations and profound understanding of global dynamics that strengthened Jamaica’s position in international affairs.”

    The late ambassador was remembered as a committed patriot who dedicated his life to serving Jamaica with exceptional distinction both domestically and internationally. His career exemplified meaningful public service, with his scholarly approach and principled engagement leaving an indelible mark on Jamaica’s diplomatic landscape.

    Senator Scott-Mottley concluded that while Ambassador Ward’s passing creates a significant void within Jamaica’s intellectual and diplomatic community, his legacy of service, scholarship, and principled engagement will continue to guide and inspire future generations. The People’s National Party extended heartfelt condolences to Ambassador Ward’s wife Sonia, along with his family, friends, colleagues, and all those touched by his work and wisdom.

  • Let them smell their ‘flowers’

    Let them smell their ‘flowers’

    A prominent cultural advocate is issuing an urgent appeal for Jamaica to recognize its reggae music pioneers while they can still appreciate the honor. Dr B, founder of the New York-based DARC Foundation and organizer of an annual awards ceremony, emphasizes that too many musical trailblazers have passed without receiving proper recognition from their nation.

    The Kingston-born pan-African activist leads an organization dedicated to honoring black individuals who have made substantial contributions to music, arts, sports, and community development. In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, Dr B articulated his philosophy with poignant clarity: “We should give these people their flowers, an’ mek dem smell these flowers before they die. Too many of our artistes an’ musicians are honoured in eulogies, an’ dat’s not right.”

    This call for timely recognition addresses longstanding criticism of Jamaica’s national honors system, which has consistently faced accusations of neglecting key figures in Jamaican music history. Numerous artists and producers, including the legendary Dennis Brown and influential producer Duke Reid, received their honors only posthumously.

    The DARC Foundation’s most recent Ethiophile Banquet and RasTafari Meritorious Awards celebrated ten distinguished recipients. The honorees included reggae icon Marcia Griffiths, renowned guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith, Steel Pulse frontman David Hinds, musical pioneer Ras Michael, and broadcasting veteran Garfield “Chin” Bourne.

    The foundation also recognized international figures such as Thomas Sankara, the assassinated former prime minister of Burkina Faso; Rastafarian elder Daughter Dean; educator Dr Yvette Morgan of the Morgan Heritage family; philanthropist Andre McDonnell; and cannabis advocate President Scherill Murray-Powell.

    Dr B noted the evolution of their recognition criteria: “When we started out we honoured Rastafarians, but over the years we have expanded to include American athletes like John Carlos and Bob Beamon who were revolutionaries in their own right.”

    The foundation’s work began in 1994 when Dr B, originally from Vineyard Town in eastern Kingston, first organized a ceremony in Brooklyn, New York, that honored Rastafarian achievements, recognizing figures like Sam Brown of the Rastafarian Movement and reggae legend Burning Spear.