Jamaica

Jamaica: Police Storm Kingston Slum to Root Out Drug Lord

Date: May 26th, 2010 |

The government’s attempt to extradite a suspected drug lord to the U.S. erupted in significant violence in Kingston May 23 when security forces had to storm his stronghold to try to take him into custody. At least 30 people were killed in gun battles and violence spread to nearby Spanish Town where a major road [read more]

Jamaica: Police Could Take Sick Leave in Labor Dispute

Date: May 13th, 2009 |

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A labor dispute between the Jamaican Constabulary Force and the government has raised the possibility that police officers could take sick leave in large numbers as a form of protest, creating a shortage of police services throughout the island. A union leader said the police would not strike and jeopardize the nation’s security, but the [read more]

Jamaica: Attempted Hijacking Has Authorities Looking for Answers

Date: April 22nd, 2009 |

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Authorities are investigating how airport security was breached by a young gunman who took control of a Canadian charter aircraft at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport April 19. He held six crew hostage for almost eight hours before being disarmed and arrested without injury or loss of life. Jamaica’s prime minister was at the airport [read more]

Caribbean: Hurricane Dean Misses Major Tourist Sites

Date: August 22nd, 2007 |

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Category 5 Hurricane Dean churned through the Caribbean and Mexico Aug. 19-22 causing extensive property damage but generally sparing tourism facilities. Jamaica took a glancing blow, with the north coast resorts suffering little damage and airports fully functioning again. The Cayman Islands largely escaped with just wind damage. In Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Dean hit land [read more]

Caribbean: Cricket World Cup

Date: February 14th, 2007 |

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The Cricket World Cup will be played March 5-April 28 on various Caribbean islands. Large numbers of fans from participating countries are likely to attend, putting a strain on basic services from hotel accommodations to transportation to medical assistance. Matches are scheduled in Antigua, Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, [read more]

Jamaica: Ocho Rios to Get Security Cameras

Date: August 5th, 2009 |

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With more than 1,600 killings last year, this island of 2.8 million people has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Tourists are seldom homicide victims, but they are subject to other crimes, which officials in Ocho Rios hope to curtail with the installation of dozens of surveillance cameras. They will go up [read more]

Jamaica: Montego Bay Airport Security Followed Correct Procedures During Hijacking

Date: April 30th, 2009 |

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MBJ Airports Ltd., the company that operates security at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, said its unarmed staff followed proper procedures when a gunman forced his way past them and took control of a Canadian aircraft April 19. They kept the gunman in visual contact until police arrived. An investigation by government agencies could lead [read more]

Jamaica: Tourism Courtesy Corps to Assist Tourists, Police

Date: January 29th, 2009 |

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In an effort to make tourist visits to Jamaica safer and more pleasant, the government inaugurated a Tourism Courtesy Corps of 120 trained officers who will work closely with the state security force and will be deployed to the resort areas of Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Runaway Bay and Kingston. One of [read more]

Caribbean: Risks at Cricket World Cup Venues

Date: February 28th, 2007 |

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There are no credible threats to the Cricket World Cup that begins March 5, but other risks in host countries can be generally classified. Islands with low to moderate crime threats are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia. Countries with high crime threats include [read more]

Dominican Republic and Jamaica: Malaria Updates

Date: February 1st, 2007 |

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Canadian health officials are urging Canadians traveling to the Dominican Republic to take precautions against malaria following three recent cases of the disease in returning travelers. The cases occurred in visitors to resorts in the province of La Altagracia. The best protection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, but Canada’s public health agency recommends [read more]