Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. COAST GUARD RESCUES 34 In 2022, two Canadians were killed in Playa del Carmen, apparently because of debts between international drug and weapons trafficking gangs. Some 17 rapes were recorded up to January 23 this year, down from the 49 observed in the corresponding period last year, representing a reduction of 32 cases or 65.3 per cent. The gunmen headed ashore in front of a Hyatt Resort just south of Cancun and opened fire. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email. At least 200 Americans remain stranded at Machu Picchu with no way of even returning to their hotels, let alone getting home, since protesters shut down trains, roadways and airport runways. Charlie and Gayle Anderson were found dead at their As our 2019 Mexico cartel forecast reported, murders in the country hit their highest rate ever last year and, worryingly, there's nothing to suggest that this year will be any different. Market data provided by Factset. Last Saturday, the island welcomed 7,000 passengers to Montego Bays Sangster International Airport, the most in a single day arriving to the destination since the reopening of the countrys borders in June 2020. [READ MORE] Embassy Messages Alerts Security Alert April 6, 2023 Thu, 06 Apr 2023 Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. I never in a million years thought that I would have to worry about my life sitting in a resort, he said. The St James Police Division leads the murder count with 21 cases, a 16.7 per cent increase compared to the 18 homicides reported in the division up to January 23 last year. How did you find out your partner was cheating? More than 1,400 people have been shot dead by police over the past 10 years in Jamaica, a country whose population is only 2.6 million. Tanner Vanvalkenburg is speaking out after he was shot on vacation in a popular resort area in Mexico late last week, caught in the crosshairs of gunfire by rival gangs. There were 71 cases of shootings over the period under review, compared to 85 for the same period last year, which represented a decrease of 16.5 per cent. WebAn American visitor has become the latest murder victim in western Jamaica after his body, with multiple stab wounds, was found inside a hotel room in Montego Bay yesterday. Jamaica appeared to acknowledge the severity of its problem by declaring a state of emergency on Nov. 15 in order to better empower authorities to deal with the crime in the capital of Kingston as well as popular tourist spots like Montego Bay, then it issued a renewed state of emergency on Dec. 6 due to increased violence and gang-related crimes. Market data provided by Factset. Kimberley McCarty, 39, who is from Massachusetts in the United Katz noted that people will do a lot to ignore the travel advisory warning but that Jamaicas state of emergency will likely have a greater impact and get attention. Based on Investigators say she was looking for WebOcho Rios and Falmouth are the two main cruise port towns in Jamaica, plus theres a newly opened cruise port in the historical town of Port Royal. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! WebCharles Wade-Palmer Reporter 14:36, 25 JUN 2021 Updated 15:07, 25 JUN 2021 Desiree Gibbon was killed in 2017, and her death still remains a mystery (Image: Please don't use the comments to advertise. WebSection - Jamaica Observer. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. We were kind of just eating tacos and that's when I started hearing gunfire, he said. (Reuters/Gilbert Bellamy), "In years past, the State Department, depending on the political situation, was sometimes reluctant to even issue a warning," Katz told Fox News Digital, explaining that an advisory alone can hurt the economy and is "not generally well received by the subject of the advisory.". Jamaicas tourism hub of Montego Bay has set a new record for tourism arrivals in a single day since the onset of the pandemic. Murders in Jamaica have risen by 15.5 per cent when compared to the first 23 days in January last year. This brings the national murder tally to 1,329 as at 2023 Caribbean Journal - All rights reserved. WebMelbourne Flake, 81, and his wife Etta, 70, were discovered in their home in Morant Bay on the eastern tip of the island. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness is shown at the State Department in Washington, April 1, 2022. The state of emergency has proven controversial as authorities can arrest people and search buildings without a warrant, potentially leading to police abuse, critics argue, but Holness stressed the need to crack down on the problem. That included a total of 52 flights from commercial, charter and private aircraft. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The latest statistics released on Monday by the Jamaica Constabulary Force show that 112 people have been killed since the start of 2022. Portland is the least murderous parish in 2022, having recorded no murders so far this year. WebThe Annotto Bay police in St. Mary, Jamaica are investigating the circumstances surrounding a motorcycle crash along the Colerain main road on February 17 last in WebKINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) -- Police in Jamaica say three tourists from the U.S. have died in a traffic collision on the island's north coast. Put it off," Katz said. WebThirty-five people were killed in Jamaica last week in one of the bloodiest seven-day periods since the start of the year. The Jamaica Observer ePaper is available to you at home or at work, and is the same edition as the printed copy available at https://bit.ly/epaper-login, 112 murders recorded in 23 days in Jamaica, Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness is shown at the State Department in Washington, April 1, 2022. In 2021, in Tulum, two tourists one a California travel blogger born in India and the other German were killed when they apparently were caught in the crossfire of a gunfight between rival As predicted based on feedback from several of our key international tourism partners, we are progressing well on our path to recovery and expect to welcome approximately 1.5 million visitors this year. Make a comment Police investigators are here seen at the sceneof a double murder in Bellevue, St Elizabeth. We thought that they were fireworks and then more started going off and everyone started to panic and run, Vanvalkenburg said. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Karrie Williams, Gleaner Writer. A request for comment from Jamaica's foreign ministry and tourism board were not immediately returned. WebViolent crime, including armed robbery and murder, is a problem in large cities and tourist areas, including parts of Kingston and Montego Bay, despite the presence of police to counter criminal activity. ", "So, you know, you want to look at these things you always need to understand some basics: you need places to stay, you need a way in and way out, you need medical does your medical insurance cover you when you cross the border?". WebJamaican officials said that 1,360 murders have taken place on the island between Jan. 1 and Nov. 13 of this year, which represents an increase of 6.8% from the same period in What are the statistics for fatal traffic accidents?" We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. WebJamaican officials said that 1,360 murders have taken place on the island between Jan. 1 and Nov. 13 of this year, which represents an increase of 6.8% from the same period in Copyright 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. And as soon as the bullet hit me, I came up and I was holding the gunshot wounds as I was bleeding, kind of putting as much pressure as I could because I knew that I had just been hit, Vanvalkenburg explained. Legal Statement. Thats the reality.". The one-two punch of a U.S. travel advisory and a national state of emergency could significantly hinder Jamaicas tourism industry and, therefore, threaten its economy, according to David Katz, a former U.S. federal agent who is the founder and CEO of Global Security Group Inc. Jamaica's state of emergency may threaten its tourism industry as crime continues to increase in the country and local authorities struggle to clamp down on it. So it's going to be very different now if I travel again.. COAST GUARD RESCUES 34 HAITIANS DUMPED BY SMUGGLERS ON PUERTO RICO CLIFF. The 35 million U.S. tourists who visit Mexico dwarf the number of their compatriots (1.5 million) who go to nearby destinations such as Jamaica. Right when I jumped into the water, I went to dive and that's when the bullet hit. Four Americans tourists were shot in the attack, which officials determined to be an assassination by a rival gang. Doctor's Cave Beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica (David I Muir/Jamaica Tourist Board/dpa-tmn), "I ask people all the time: Where are you going to go to? Katz said, adding that "statistically, the greatest number of Americans who are either seriously injured or killed overseas [is] as a result of traffic accidents. The advisory noted that "violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults and homicides, are common" and that "sexual assaults occur frequently," even at all-inclusive resorts. Ultimately, however, the threat may not be as great as feared. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean, Jamaica Observer, 2022 All Rights Reserved, Tax Administration hauls GCT cheats before courts, Execution-style double murder rocks MoBays Peoples Arcade, Bunting endorses Mitchell in Manchester Central swansong, PNP/JLP politicians say farewell to 'Dico', Search for Jamaicans in war-torn Sudan yields no result, Pilots at American, Southwest, ratchet up strike threats, Beckford retains Penn Relays high jump title, Failures for Mayers, Pooran as Super Giants miss out, Meadforest, Treasure Beach sweep to lead in Tier II football, Everton rescue draw at Leicester, but Foxes climb out of bottom three, Raceday review Saturday, April 29, 2023, Sierra Nevada World Music Festival makes return, Rose Royce eager to deliver for To Mom with Love, Charmaine's mantra: #loveeverybloomingthing. The April 30 03:33 pm. or redistributed. WebMore: State Department yanks data on U.S. tourists harmed in Jamaica According to Zelenak, the alleged killing happened in a popular and safe area where tourists hang Latest News. Some areas have increased risk. All rights reserved. The JCF reported a 28.3 per cent decrease in break-ins 38 this year compared to 53 in 2021. According to local news reports, Williams, popularly known as Lexi D Bess,' was being transported by Kenroy Smith (25) from her home in Rio The most recent case: A twenty-six-year-old aspiring model and documentary filmmaker, Desiree Hyacinth Gibbon, from Queens, New York, went missing in Jamaica in late 2017. In the first quarter, Bonaire welcomed even more visitors than it did in the , Dominican Republics Arajet Eyeing US Flights, New Caribbean Airline Connects St Thomas, St Croix. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica has for several years been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. All Rights Reserved. Hubby switched churches, now we're unequally yoked. The armed suspects initially escaped, but local authorities confirmed to ABC News on Friday that they have five people in custody. Vanvalkenburg was taken to a local hospital and later released. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. WebSerious Crimes Report for January 1 to April_23, 2023 and comparative period for 2022 The news comes as Jamaica continues to see continued airlift growth, including a major up-gauging on American Airlines routes to the country. The rate of lethal police shootings is one of the highest in the world. Assistant Police Commissioner George Nicholas spoke recently about the rise in murders, saying that we have too many homicides being recorded for our little population, according to Caribbean outlet Loop News. WebThe Jamaica 2019 Crime and Safety Report was released in the wake of a tourism scare involving the Dominican Republic, where 10 American tourist deaths have been Legal Statement. Webhouse and was shot and killed. Montego Bay, Jamaica Sets Pandemic Tourism Record, The Best Caribbean Resorts for Pickleball, The 50 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean 2023, The 15 Best Adults Only Resorts to Visit in the Caribbean in 2023, Nobu Just Opened a Residential Resort in Los Cabos, The 23 Best Caribbean Islands to Visit in 2023, The British Virgin Islands Has a New Luxury All-Inclusive Resort, From Aruba to Punta Cana, Relaxing Hotels for a Stress-Free Caribbean Vacation, Why You Need to Visit This Caribbean Island in June, Air Canada Launches First Ever Toronto-Martinique Flights, Caribbean Photo of the Week: Rainbow Bay, Eleuthera, The Bahamas, Strong Recovery for Jamaica Cruise Industry. The Associated Press contributed to this report. WebThe police are reporting that ten people were shot when gunmen carried out an attack at the intersection of McCatty Street and Hart Street in downtown Montego Bay, St. James. There was a 200 per cent increase in murders in Trelawnyfrom January 1 to 23, with three murders compared to one for the same period last year. And while just six Americans fell victim to homicide in the latter, the murder rate for U.S. citizens is, per capita, higher on the Caribbean island than it is in Mexico. (Olivier Douliery/Pool via Reuters/File). There were 12 murders committed in the parish over the first 23 days in 2022, compared with two for the corresponding period in 2021. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published. WebA RETIRED British couple have been brutally murdered in Jamaica in the latest string of killings on the Caribbean island. Although the Common sense and proper situational awareness will keep most American tourists safe when they venture to Mexico over spring break. Indeed, the number of people murdered in Jamaica amounted to 1,498 in "For me, for Jamaica to say we have a state of emergency, we are completely out of control, thats going to have an impact," Katz said. That's when I took off and all of us jumped into the pool.. According to the local police, Desiree went to Jamaica on the 20th of October and was given three months to stay on the island. ", AMERICAN PROFESSOR STRANDED IN PERU AS PROTESTS ROCK THE COUNTRY: I DON'T FEEL SAFE. Jamaicas tourism hub of Montego Bay has set a new record for tourism arrivals in a single day since the onset of the pandemic. Doctor's Cave Beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica, (David I Muir/Jamaica Tourist Board/dpa-tmn), Holiday travel expected to soar 14% despite economic woes, AAA says, American tourists cannot leave the country. Katz also highlighted the greater need to focus on safety when traveling by pointing to the situation in Peru in which hundreds of American tourists cannot leave the country due to the protests that broke out over the past week following the removal of Pedro Castillo from his post as president. The U.S. State Department on Oct. 5 issued a level 3 travel advisory, indicating that Americans should "reconsider travel" due to an increased risk of crime in the country. TheJamaica Constabulary Force's (JCF) serious crimes report also showed that there was a decrease in the number of shooting incidents as of Sunday. First came a suspected gang shootout at a restaurant in Tulum in late October, killing two tourists and injuring three others. WebA tourist died in Montego Bay, St James yesterday, weeks after another passed away aboard a cruise ship. "We have some really serious criminal threats facing us, and we have to use all the powers at our disposal," Holness said. St Ann farmers urged to prepare for tourism boom. Of course, the concern is understandable. Adults only resorts are the perfect accommodations for those looking to get Nobu Hospitality has opened a new residential resort in Los Cabos, Mexico.& Can you believe it has been nearly three years since the world changed? Receiving such a large number of air passengers into our largest airport in just one day is a clear indication that demand for Jamaicas tourism product remains strong, said Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.