Peace is the Next Stage of Security Strategy – PM

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has reiterated the Government focus on attaining peace as the next stage of the national security strategy.

“There is no doubt that on the issue of keeping Jamaica safe and secure, Government policy is working. This is beyond debate. The statistics are there and we are now moving to the next phase of our strategy. So, it’s safety and security, then peace,” he said.

“Peace is sustained safety and security, and that’s where we want to be,” Dr. Holness said.

He was addressing the signing of a letter of intent for the subsea cable project, at Jamaica House on Tuesday (February 3).

Last year, 673 murders were recorded, representing a 42 per cent decline over 2024, and is the lowest number of annual homicides since 1994.

The momentum continued into January, with 33 murders recorded, which is a 55 per cent reduction over the 74 homicides of January 2025.

The Prime Minister noted that the subsea cable project, which aims to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure, will contribute to peace through economic, social, and digital empowerment.

The initiative is aimed at expanding, securing, and upgrading Jamaica’s international fibre-optic connectivity. It will play an important role in the dissemination of information that will ensure robust peace.

“Be encouraged that the Government is taking decisions for your safety and security, for your economy in terms of affordability, and for the resilience of our country and society,” Dr. Holness said.Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that the Government is focused on driving efficiency throughout the public sector.

“The greatest subsidy that you can give to the people of your country is efficiency. So, when we say we are tackling inefficiency in bureaucracy, and this is somewhere we have to go, this is about making the products and services that you get more efficient so that it costs you less. Inefficiency is as big a problem as corruption,” he stated.