INTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, I wish to dedicate this sectoral presentation to the hardworking, devoted and uncompromising members of Jamaica’s security force. In recognition of their tireless and committed service to Jamaica, I will be utilizing my presentation this afternoon to call the attention of the Jamaican people to the reality that faces these officers every day. I will also be...

Mr. Speaker, I am here today to update the House on critical security issues. The ABC partners (United States, Canada and the United Kingdom) have been critical longstanding bilateral partners in security operations in the Caribbean. These security relations are underpinned by several longstanding treaties, protocols and Agreements. Among these, was a Memorandum of Understanding which allowed for the use...

Mr. Speaker, The members of the House may recall that during my sectoral close a few months ago, I called the country’s attention to the extensive work that is being undertaken to undermine, interrupt and dismantle criminal gangs. On that occasion I highlighted the systematic, well financed, and structurally complex nature of the gangs of today. I would have also...

Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, Honourable Dr. Horace Chang, Minister of National Security, Lt. General Rocky Meade, Chief of Defence Staff Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning. The high level of violent crime being experienced in the St. Andrew South (SAS) division, particularly within the past two months, is at a scale and nature...

STATE OF EMERGENCY Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Minister of National Security the Honourable Horace Chang, Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson, ladies and Gentlemen, citizens of Jamaica, members of the press, good morning; As a result of the persistent and precarious security challenges outlined by the Commissioner of Police, the Security Forces recommended to the Prime...

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang

Mr. Speaker, I find it necessary to comment on the state of crime in the country. While we can speak to an overall 21% decline in the number of murders in Jamaica since the start of the year, there has been a series of cruel attacks on vulnerable groups – particularly the elderly and young girls. Mr. Speaker, while the...

The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) is reporting an increase in the number of foreigners acquiring Jamaican citizenship, which totalled more than 10,000 persons over the last 10 years. Director of Citizenship Services at PICA, Carol Saunders-Hammond, points to an increase in applications, particularly from persons in Cuba, North America and the United Kingdom and, to a lesser extent,...