Both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago are struggling with a similar crime problem, says Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
Speaking yesterday at a joint press conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, Holness and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley expressed concern about the flow of arms and ammunition from the United States into the region.
Holness is in Trinidad and Tobago on an official visit and as a guest for Trinidad and Tobago’s 60th Independence celebrations. Tomorrow, August 31, is Independence Day.
Noting that the United States has just made a statement about the flow of arms and ammunition to the Caribbean, Rowley said: “This did not happen by accident and came after pointing out that the US is the supplier of most of these items. .
Rowley emphasized the need for closer cooperation in this fight.
Holness said there is a need for a reinforced front regarding the entry of weapons.
“It’s amazing when we exchange notes on the national security front, the similarities and the similarities not only on the violence front, but the elements that fuel it and enable it, so weapons are a driver of violence, how they get into our countries, people that are financing it and selling it, there is an incredible level of commonality,” he said.
Holness noted that Rowley had declared the violence a public health issue and the same is happening in Jamaica.
“It is important for the population to understand that countries like ours with our economic stage, profile and culture, as well as historical factors play a role and explain why violence is often used and is the choice to resolve conflict,” he said. .
Enterprise crime
Holness said Jamaica is facing a challenge of illegal arms flowing through both legal and illegal ports.
“If it comes through your ports, it speaks to a high level of possible corruption in the judicial system in the customs system,” he said.
He said Jamaica’s crime plan is multidimensional and looks at all elements of national security.
Holness said the challenge is managing “enterprise crime” – criminal gangs whose sole purpose is to infiltrate state organisations, corrupt institutions and use the power they gain to facilitate illicit trade, be it narcotics from South or Central America, human trafficking, etc. .
He also shared concern about domestic crimes which are becoming more common in Jamaica.
Without elaborating, Holness referred to a domestic crime in which several people were killed.
In June of this year, a mother and her four children were found dead with their throats slit in Jamaica. A male relative has been arrested.
The bodies were discovered in Clarendon parish, west of the capital Kingston.
Kemisha Wright and her four children, Kimana Smith, 15; Shemari Smith, ten years old; Kafana Smith, five years old; and Kishaun Henry, 23 months, were identified as those killed.
Holness said all this violence makes people’s quality of life less enjoyable.
He said that a multidimensional strategy is needed in the fight against crime.
