JA lowers crime, pleases US

Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness believes that the authorities are finally starting to dismantle organised crime on the island.

Holness commended the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) and the Jamaica Customs Agency for helping to stem the flow of illegal contraband into Jamaica.

This comes after a historic seizure of illegal weapons and ammunition at a warehouse in Kingston last week. The authorities confiscated 74 rifles, 159 handguns, and over 40,000 rounds of ammunition.

Holness announced this week that the agencies have worked tirelessly to disrupt transnational criminal networks and intercept dangerous items before they reach communities.

He noted that their efforts have not only strengthened border security, but have sent a clear message to criminal networks that Jamaica is reducing the flow of guns, gangs and illicit trade.

Holness said this and other such seizures are the results of consistent policy, strategic execution and coordinated law enforcement.

As a result, the United States has downgraded its travel advisory for Jamaica from Level 3 to Level 2, urging Americans to “exercise increased caution” rather than reconsider travel.

It was an anticipated relief for the government and tourism interests three months after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there would be a review in light of declining murders. The decision was announced on Thursday by the US State Department.

“While violent crime in Jamaica has decreased since 2024, it remains statistically high throughout the country,” the update said. “Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common. US embassy employees are prohibited from using public buses and from driving between cities at night.”

The advisory added that there are some areas in Jamaica where US government employees working in Jamaica “are prohibited from travelling to certain areas”. They include parts of Kingston and St Andrew, Clarendon, St James, St Catherine and St Ann.

The US is Jamaica’s primary source market for tourists. During a visit to Kingston in March, Rubio lauded Jamaica for making “impressive” strides in its crime-reduction efforts and promised to re-evaluate the travel advisory to reflect the current reality regarding crime.