News from the OPM

The Government of Jamaica welcomes the United States Department of State’s decision to revise its travel advisory for Jamaica to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, an upgrade from the previous Level 3 designation. This update is an acknowledgement of the Government’s strides in improving public safety and ensuring a secure environment for both residents and visitors. Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness lauded the development, noting, “This revision reflects the hard work of our security forces and Government agencies. We have been deliberate and data-driven in our approach to reducing crime and improving the safety of our people. Jamaica remains one of the most vibrant and welcoming destinations in the world, and we are pleased that our progress is being recognized.” Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, welcomed the positive implications for the tourism sector: “This is a vote of confidence in Brand Jamaica. Our tourism industry is built on safety, excellence, and world-class service. The updated advisory will strengthen traveler confidence and further position Jamaica as a top destination for leisure, business, and investment.” Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, welcomed the update as a reflection of effective diplomacy…

In light of recent changes to immigration enforcement policies in the United States, which have resulted in the repatriation of hundreds of Jamaicans, some with criminal records, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has again issued a strong yet compassionate appeal: return home to rebuild, not to destabilize. “We understand that the shifting immigration policies in the United States have placed many Jamaicans in difficult and uncertain circumstances,” said Prime Minister Holness. “Let me be clear: Jamaica is your homeland. You are not homeless, and you are not stateless. This is your country, and we welcome you home.” While acknowledging the hardships faced by some Jamaicans living abroad, the Prime Minister cautioned against any attempt to import criminal conduct into the country. “If your intent is criminal, expect to be dealt with firmly,” he warned. “Do not come back here to destroy your homeland or dismantle what we have been working very hard to create, so that you wouldn’t have had to leave in the first place.” The Prime Minister was direct in his message to those who may be tempted to return to Jamaica with criminal intent, stating, “Disabuse yourself of this notion that you can only make it through crime…

As Jamaica prepares to receive a flight of 107 deported nationals on Thursday (May 29), the Government is reassuring the public that the return of nationals with final removal orders from overseas territories is neither unexpected nor unmanaged. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang and Foreign Minister Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, say the government has been closely monitoring developments in deportation trends and that systems are activated to manage any potential increase in returns. The Security Minister shared: “The Government continues to monitor the matter carefully and remains in direct communication with our counterparts in the U.S and other jurisdictions.” He further emphasized that “Jamaica, like other sovereign nations, is obligated under international laws to accept the return of its citizens who are subject to deportation. We have consistently fulfilled this duty while ensuring each case is managed with respect for due process and human rights.  In the same way that we repatriate foreign nationals who breach our laws, we respect the right of other countries to enforce their own immigration laws.” Foreign Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson-Smith, added that the Government has long taken proactive steps to address the…

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness today led tributes as the nation honoured the life and work of late former Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga, on the occasion of his 95th birthday. The commemorative event, held at the National Heroes Park, paid homage to a man Prime Minister Holness described as “A transformational, courageous and caring leader who saw more in us than we see in ourselves.” In his address, to mark the birth and death dates of the former Prime Minister, Dr Holness reflected on Mr. Seaga's lifelong commitment to public service and national development. Mr. Seaga's strength of character, institutional vision, and unshakable belief in Jamaica’s potential were highlighted. “Mr. Seaga stood very strongly for one perspective on human development. He stood very strongly for freedom, for democracy, for liberal democracy. He stood for markets and competition. He stood for human rights and the respect of individual freedom. And it was not always easy to do,” Prime Minister Holness stated. Prime Minister Holness continued: “Edward Seaga was not merely a political leader, he was a builder of systems, of structures, of dreams. He believed in the power of government to serve the people, and he worked relentlessly…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to renewable energy as a key strategy to lower the cost of water delivery and reduce national dependence. Speaking yesterday (May 27) at the official opening of the Forest Hills Pumping Station Solar Park, the Prime Minister commended the National Water Commission (NWC) for taking the lead in modernizing its operations and improving internal efficiency. “The NWC is the largest customer of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS),” the Prime Minister explained. “Yes, it costs quite a bit to get water to your homes because of the heavy use of electricity. But the NWC is trying to achieve internal efficiencies in its operations. That is actually a way to moderate costs to you.” The Prime Minister noted that solar energy investments like the one at Forest Hills represent a direct way of reducing operating expenses, which can ultimately translate into lower costs for consumers. “Investments in solar power will help to reduce the NWC’s operating costs and moderate costs passed on to you,” Dr. Holness said. Prime Minister Holness also used the opportunity to emphasize the need for Jamaica to explore a wider array of renewable energy options, beyond just solar and…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has called on Jamaicans to believe in a government that is not only working but delivering results for the people. Prime Minister Holness highlighted the work of the administration, which is backed by a historic and unmatched record of achievements. Speaking yesterday (May 27) at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ferry to Rock Pond Pipeline Project, the Prime Minister asserted that in an age of misinformation, doubt, and political skepticism, faith in proven leadership is more critical than ever. “We need to have a positive outlook, and we need to have faith. There’s a biblical definition of faith: ‘the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen,” the Prime Minister urged. Dr. Holness pointed directly at the results of a working government. “In front of you is the evidence of the delivery of what you hope for. That’s why I can speak to you with confidence. This is what every other community without water is hoping for, and today, you see it happening.” Framing the ceremony as not just as a local event but as a message to the rest of Jamaica, Prime Minister Holness said groundbreaking and commissioning ceremonies serve…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has issued a powerful reminder to Jamaicans to examine the track record of delivery when evaluating leadership, especially during the “promising season”. Speaking yesterday (May 27) at the groundbreaking ceremony for the long-anticipated Ferry to Rock Pond Pipeline Project in St. Andrew, Prime Minister Holness says this administration has been consistently delivering on long-standing infrastructure needs and that this water project is just one of many. “It doesn't matter what you are promised; you have to look at the track record of delivery. Does the promisor, the man with the good intent, have the wherewithal to deliver?” The Prime Minister made it clear that the project was not a hasty move or pre-election stunt but the result of years of planning and economic improvement under his government. He said many of the projects now coming to fruition were long in the making, delayed not by negligence or lack of will, but by previous financial constraints. “These projects that we are breaking ground for today are not new projects. They were on the books, many of them, for a long time. Was it because they didn’t care? Was it because they were lackadaisical? No. They didn’t have the…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that the Government has invested more than $87 billion in national security since 2016, nearly three times the amount spent in the eight years prior, a move that has significantly transformed Jamaica’s security landscape. Between 2008 and 2015, national security spending totalled approximately $26 billion. In contrast, the current administration has allocated $87.07 billion over the period 2016 to 2024, including a record $19.5 billion in a single year. “So, who is really spending and ensuring that you are safe? Who is really equipping the security forces and putting the money where it matters?” the Prime Minister asked. He credited the transformation to the implementation of the Plan Secure Jamaica strategy, a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to enhancing law enforcement capacity, intelligence, technology, and personnel development. Key achievements under the plan include: Growing the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) from approximately 6,000–7,000 to nearly 10,000. Increasing the number and training of Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) officers. Installing new scanners at ports to detect firearms and contraband. Expanding forensic, investigative, and intelligence training across the force. The Prime Minister also praised the improved performance of the JCF, noting their rapid response time and increased success in solving…

Jamaica continues to see a steady decline in serious crime, the result of sustained investment, structured planning, and a clear focus on strengthening national security. Speaking at a recent event, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness pointed to the shift in narrative surrounding crime trends and public safety. “When crime was going up, there was no hesitation to assign blame. Now that the numbers are going down, they say the Government can’t take credit,” he said. The Prime Minister outlined the practical steps taken to equip law enforcement with the tools and infrastructure needed to operate effectively. The police force has grown from approximately 9,000 to over 14,000 officers. New and upgraded police stations have been delivered across the island. Communication systems and digital recordkeeping have been modernized. Mobility and logistical support have been significantly improved. “The police are better supported than they have ever been,” the Prime Minister noted. “That is not by accident. It is the result of consistent investment and structured leadership.” He noted that crime reduction is not a passive outcome, but a product of deliberate choices made over time, backed by resources, policy, and execution. “You cannot separate results from the work that produced them. That…