Category: CANA News

Total arrests under Jamaica’s Crime Stop Programme increased by 38.2 per cent to 76 in 2025, while reward payments climbed to approximately J$10.3 million (US$65,176), as the country also recorded a sharp decline in murders and other major violent crimes.

The figures are contained in the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s (PIOJ) Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2025, tabled in the House of Representatives on June 30.

According to the report, 76 arrests were made through the Crime Stop Programme in 2025, up from 55 the previous year. Reward payments also increased from J$7.5 million (US$47,458) in 2024.

“These outcomes reflected the continued use of the programme as a mechanism for citizen engagement and operational support to policing efforts,” the report stated.

It added that although reporting levels and enforcement outcomes fluctuated compared with the previous year, the programme continued to produce arrests, seizures and financial recoveries across multiple areas.

The survey also pointed to an overall decline in Category One crimes during the year, driven by significant reductions in several major offences.

“Murder fell by 41 per cent to 675 incidents, while shooting incidents decreased by 30.8 per cent to 696. Rape also declined by 26.3 per cent to 325 cases. In contrast, aggravated assault increased by 41.3 per cent to 465 cases, while robbery and break-ins rose by 8.5 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively,” the report said.

A total of 1,528 people were arrested for Category One crimes in 2025.

Murder accounted for the largest number of arrests at 481, followed by 395 for shooting offences, 231 for robbery and 172 for aggravated assault.

By parish, St Andrew recorded the highest number of arrests with 297, followed by St Catherine with 197 and Kingston with 175.

Julien Alfred produced a historic performance in the 200 metres to grab gold in the Monaco Diamond League here on Friday.

Competing at the Stade Louis II, the 25-year-old Saint Lucia Olympic sprint champion left challengers Adaejah Hodge and Gabrielle Thomas in her wake on her way to clocking 21.51 seconds, setting a new meet record and national record in the process.

Alfred and Thomas, the 200m gold medallist, were locked together heading into the final straight before she pulled clear over the closing metres, taking a full two-tenths off her previous best of 21.71.

Her time was also the fastest in the world this year and third fastest of all-time, behind only Florence Griffith-Joyner’s world record of 21.34 seconds and Shericka Jackson’s 21.41.

Hodge, who arrived in Monaco as the world leader after running 21.68 at last month’s NCAA Championships in Eugene, finished strongly to edge past Thomas for second in 21.76, while Thomas, placed third in 21.84.

“I have been preparing for this for such a long time, to finally see it pay off, I am just happy. I didn’t realise how fast it was till I crossed the line. I looked at the clock and saw my time and that’s why I was screaming like at the Olympics,” Alfred said after the race.

“There are no limits right now. Today, I was actually hoping to see 21.6, I got 21.5, so I am happy nonetheless.”

Trinidad and Tobago sprint legend Ato Boldon has described the death of former Jamaican athletic coach Stephen Francis as one of the most significant losses the global track and field community has experienced in decades.

Francis, who died on July 4 at the age of 62, was the co-founder and head coach of the MVP Track Club in 1999. He transformed Jamaica into a sprinting powerhouse, guiding stars such as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Asafa Powell, and Shericka Jackson to multiple Olympic and World Championship medals.

In a recent interview, Boldon, a four-time Olympic medalist, said Francis’ impact extended far beyond Jamaica’s shores.

He maintained that Francis’ influence reshaped the global athletics landscape.

“I think no matter where your passport or your allegiance, you realise that Stephen Francis was a great. He wasn’t a great Jamaican. He was a great, period,” Boldon said.

“…I think this is one of the biggest losses we’ve had in this sport since I’ve been alive. A lot of the other great coaches are still around-Bob Kersee and others, so this is monumental.”

For decades, many of Jamaica’s greatest sprinters-including Merlene Ottey, Don Quarrie, Ray Stewart, Michael Green, and later Asafa Powell developed through the American collegiate system before representing Jamaica internationally.

However, Boldon said Francis challenged that long-established model.

“He and the people who were integral in starting MVP said, ‘Wait a minute, why are we sending our athletes to the NCAA to get run into the ground for four or five years, and then they come back and give Jamaica what’s left? Let’s change the thinking.’

“It changed the thinking globally. Athletes still have the option to go through the NCAA system, which is a great system, but they also have other options. They can stay at home, develop locally, and still become world-class athletes,” Boldon said.

Defending champions Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and the Leeward Islands began this year’s Rising Stars Men’s Under-19 50-over Championship with victories here on Saturday.

While Barbados and the Leeward Islands romped to comfortable wins over the Windward Islands and Jamaica respectively, T and T were made to fight before getting over Guyana.

At Liberta Sports Club: Trinidad and Tobago overcame a woeful batting performance to register an impressive 24-run victory over Guyana.

After being sent in, T and T could only muster 167 in 40.3 overs, thanks mainly to a fighting half century by Christian Lall.

Daron Dhanraj, Amrit Pittiman and Daniel Holder then grabbed three wickets apiece to bowl out Guyana for 143 in 34.3 overs.

T and T actually got off to a decent start with the bat, with Christiano Ramanan scoring 33 and Tariq Richards 31, to propel their side to 73 for two in the 17th over.

However, Romario Ramdehol and Dhanesh Persaud shared four wickets between them to spark a middle order collapse that saw T and T crumble to 94 for six.

They were saved by a 62-run partnership between Lall and Renaldo Fournillier, who scored 19, which carried them to 156 for six.

When Joshua Budram struck to remove Fournillier and Lall was dismissed for 53 off 70 balls, T and T suffered another slide that saw them lose their last four wickets for 11 runs in the space of four overs.

Budram wrapped up the tail to finish with 4-9, Ramdehol took 2-21, Micah Amsterdam 2-35 and Persaud 2-44.

Guyana lost openers Khush Seegobin and Parmeshwar Ram in the space of three balls to slip to 10 for two, before Shamar Apple and Yannick Newton put on 46 runs for the third wicket.

But Guyana’s innings unraveled once Newton was bowled by Holder for 23, with Apple being dismissed for 28 shortly afterwards, while Adrian Hetmyer made just seven, to see them slump to 72 for five in the 14th over.

Ramdehol tried his best to revive the innings in his unbeaten knock of 41 off 82 balls, but he got little other support.

Dhanraj was the pick of T and T’s bowlers with 3-20, Pittiman claimed 3-44 and Holder 3-46.

At Coolidge Cricket Ground: Half centuries from opener Tanez Francis and captain Matthew Miller carried Leeward Islands to a comprehensive 120-run win over Jamaica.

Francis topscored with 82 off 98 balls, inclusive of 11 boundaries, while Miller hit 72 off 78 balls, with four fours and three sixes, to propel their side to a formidable 275 for seven in their 50 overs after electing to bat first.

Jamaica never mounted a serious challenge to the total in their run chase and were eventually dismissed for 155 in 35.5 overs.

The Leeward Islands were given a solid start, with Francis and Amoree Jones posting a 68-run opening stand.

When Alixandre Elliot struck to claim the wicket of Jones for 20, the Leeward Islands wobbled briefly to find themselves 80 for three.

Francis and his skipper came to their side’s rescue during a 106-run partnership that put them in the ascendancy at 186 for three in the 38th over.

Jamaica fought back by dismissing both batters in quick succession to reduce their opponents to 209 for five, but Lawshorn Bergan and Rondre Daniel both scored 28 runs to anchor the innings and get the Leeward Islands to their eventual total.

Geovanni Grey mopped up the tail to claim 4-44, while Elliot took 3-40.

Jamaica never recovered from a horrible start that saw them lose their top four batsmen with only 58 runs on the board.

Ryan Lyttleton, who scored an unbeaten 59 off 69 balls and Demarco Scott, who made 15, tried to revive the innings in a 44-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

However, once Scott was run out, Jamaica lost five wickets for 27 runs to collapse to 129 for nine to effectively end the contest.

For Jamaica, Jathan Edward took 3-37, Miller returned to snare 2-12, and Kunal Tilokani finished with 2-33.

At Bethesda Sports Ground: Barbados produced a record-breaking batting performance on their way to thrashing the Windward Islands by 119 runs.

Jordan Graham, Kemar Dixon and Gadson Bowens all scored half centuries, while R’Jai Gittens smashed 49 off just 16 balls, to see the defending champions post a mammoth 392 for nine in their 50 overs, the highest-ever total in the tournament’s history.

The Windward Islands did make a contest of their chase, but lost wickets at key intervals to eventually finish on 273 for seven in 50 overs.

Barbados actually got off to a wretched start, losing opener Damarko Wiggins in the second over of the match with just three runs on the board.

What followed thereafter, however, was a sensational showing by the remaining batters.

Bowens and Graham shared a 135-run partnership for the second wicket in only 12 overs, that saw Barbados motor to 138 for one at the start of the 14th over.

Pacer Kevin Joseph broke the stand by bowling Bowens for 62 off 40 balls, comprising eight fours and three sixes, and he also trapped Graham lbw after he had scored 76 from just 43 balls and struck 11 boundaries and three sixes, to leave Barbados 151 for three at the end of the 16th over.

Kelani Clarke and Kemari Dixon then added 78 runs for the fourth wicket to maintain the momentum before Clarke was dismissed for 37.

The Windwards looked to have brought themselves back in the match when the dismissal of Justin Parris left Barbados 239 for five after 34 overs.

But Dixon, who made 67 off 73 balls, along with some remarkable power hitting by the lower order left their opponents stunned.

Gittens smashed five fours and four sixes in his stunning knock at number nine and Raphael Lovell scored an unbeaten 31 off 29 balls, to help Barbados pummel 153 runs from the remaining 16 overs, including 85 off the last five.

Their total surpassed the previous highest total of 374 for six, which ironically was scored by Windward Islands against Barbados in the 2014-2015 season.

Aiden Burton ended with 3-36, while Kevin Joseph took 2-51 for the Windwards.

Captain and opener Theo Edwards then slammed 92 off 77 balls, with 15 fours and three sixes, and together with Burton, kept the Windward Islands in the hunt at 161 for two in the 27th over.

Any hope of pulling off an unlikely victory was erased when left-arm pacer Raphael Lovell trapped Burton lbw for 47 to end their 139-run partnership.

His dismissal saw Edward, Johnathan Daniel and Zach Thomas all losing their wickets without the addition of a run, leaving them in tatters at 162 for six.

Tyler Venner stroked an unbeaten 71 off 62 balls to ensure the Windward Islands were not bowled out with the outcome already decided.

For Barbados, Rajeev Parsooram took 3-46 and Jahidi Hinds 2-63.

The Organisation of American States (OAS) says the Permanent Representative of Dominica Steve Ferrol has assumed the chair of the Permanent Council during a ceremony at the headquarters of the hemispheric organisation in Washington.

“The OAS, as the hemisphere’s principal political forum, has a unique role to play in promoting coherence, dialogue, and a shared sense of purpose,” Ambassador Ferrol said. “We will explore how the OAS can help build a more coordinated and inclusive hemispheric agenda.”

During the ceremony, the OAS said Ambassador Ferrol presented his work plan for the current quarter, which focuses on strengthening the governance and effectiveness of the Permanent Council, as well as reinforcing the role of the OAS in hemispheric integration.

The OAS said the plan also seeks to strengthen the organisation’s capacity to respond to the political, economic, social, and security challenges facing the hemisphere.

The OAS said the work plan is structured around three main priorities.

They are improving the governance and effectiveness of the Permanent Council through more strategic agendas, stronger follow-up on decisions, and closer coordination with the committees and the General Secretariat, with the goal of making the Council more predictable, efficient, and impactful; and strengthening the relevance of the OAS in addressing the hemisphere’s current challenges by promoting thematic discussions on issues such as democratic resilience, inclusive growth, digital governance, and cybersecurity, enabling the organisation to contribute more effectively to these priorities.

The other priority is reinforcing the role of the OAS in hemispheric integration by fostering dialogue among the region’s various cooperation mechanisms and promoting a more coordinated and inclusive hemispheric agenda through a series of integration dialogues and stronger engagement within the Inter-American System.

The OAS said the chairmanship will also place special emphasis on the needs and perspectives of small states and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), “underscoring that integration and cooperation must benefit all countries of the hemisphere, regardless of their size.”

The Permanent Representative of Brazil Benoni Belli will serve as vice chair of the Permanent Council, the OAS said.

It said the chair and vice chair of the Council rotate every three months among the OAS member states.

The OAS said the Permanent Representative of Costa Rica Alejandra Solano and the Permanent Representative of Canada Stuart Savage served as chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Council during the previous quarter.

New Zealand was dismissed for 267 in 49.5 overs after being sent in to bat by the West Indies in the opening One Day International at Providence Stadium here on Saturday.

NEW ZEALAND 267 in 49.5 overs (Daryl Mitchell 65, Will Young 49, Michael Bracewell 29, Mark Chapman 27, Henry Nicholls 27, Tom Latham 25, Mitchell Santner 21; Alzarri Joseph 4-41, Vitel Lawes 3-54, Gudakesh Motie 2-51).

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission (CRC) will travel to the United Kingdom next week as part of a renewed push to build international support for reparatory justice, amid what it described as growing global momentum for the issue.

A statement from the CARICOM Secretariat said the July 13-16 mission will include meetings with diplomats, academics and civil society organisations, as well as a presentation at the UK Parliament. The engagements will be hosted by the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London.

The Commission said the visit is aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships and advancing public education and civil society engagement on reparatory justice.

The delegation will be led by CRC Chairman Professor Sir Hilary Beckles and includes Vice Chairmen Dorbrene O’Marde and Eric Phillips, Vice Chair Professor Verene Shepherd, Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM David Comissiong and Dr Ron Daniels, convenor of the United States-based National African Reparations Commission.

According to the CRC, the visit comes as CARICOM member states prepare for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda and follows several recent developments that have strengthened the international reparations movement.

These include the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly in March of a Ghana-led resolution declaring the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans and chattel enslavement the “gravest crime against humanity.”

The Commission also pointed to the High-Level Consultative Conference on Reparations, hosted by Ghana in Accra in June, which it described as a “historic turning point for Africans and People of African descent.”

The regional body said momentum had also been strengthened by the recent approval by CARICOM Heads of Government of the revised CARICOM Ten-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice: A Manifesto for the Coming Enlightenment, which it said positions reparations as a “global human rights imperative.”

During the visit, the delegation is scheduled to meet CARICOM and African Union ambassadors and high commissioners, participate in a public roundtable discussion at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies and deliver a presentation at the UK Parliament.

The parliamentary event is being organised by Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Afrikan Reparations.

The Commission said the mission underscores its commitment to building international alliances and fostering dialogue on reparatory justice, historical accountability and socio-economic transformation.

A media briefing on the delegation’s activities is scheduled for July 14 at the University of London and will also be available virtually.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Jul 11, CMC -West Indies defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in the opening One Day International at Providence Stadium here on Saturday.

Scores

NEW ZEALAND 267 in 49.5 overs (Daryl Mitchell 65, Will Young 49, Michael Bracewell 29, Mark Chapman 27, Henry Nicholls 27, Tom Latham 25, Mitchell Santner 21; Alzarri Joseph 4-41, Vitel Lawes 3-54, Gudakesh Motie 2-51).

WEST INDIES 268-3 in 48.5 overs (Keacy Carty 95, Shai Hope 87 not out, Ackeem Auguste 38, Sherfane Rutherford 22 not out, John Campbell 11).

Results of the opening round of matches in the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Men’s 50-over Championship here on Saturday.

At Liberta Sports Club: Trinidad and Tobago defeated Guyana by 24 runs.

T and T 167 in 40.5 overs (Christian Lall 53, Christiano Ramanan 33, Tariq Richards 31, Renaldo Fournillier 19, Levi Ghanny 10; Joshua Budram 4-9, Romario Ramdehol 2-21, Micah Amsterdam 2-35, Dhanesh Persaud 2-44).

GUYANA 143 in 34.3 overs (Romario Ramdehol 41 not out, Shamar Apple 28, Yannick Newton 23, Dhanesh Persaud 17; Daron Dhanraj 3-20, Amrit Pittiman 3-44, Daniel Holder 3-46).

At Coolidge Cricket Ground: Leeward Islands defeated Jamaica by 120 runs.

LEEWARD ISLANDS 275-7 in 50 overs (Tanez Francis 82, Matthew Miller 72, Lawshorn Bergan 28, Rondre Daniel 28 not out, Amoree Jones 20, Jathan Edward 14 not out; Geovanni Grey 4-44, Alixandre Elliot 3-40).

JAMAICA 155 in 35.5 overs (Ryan Lyttleton 59 not out, Odane Binns 19, Demario Hall 18, Demarco Scott 15, Pajay Nelson 11, Jahdae Moore 11; Jathan Edward 3-37, Matthew Miller 2-12, Kunal Tilokani 2-33).

At Bethesda Sports Ground: Barbados defeated Windward Islands by 119 runs.

BARBADOS 392-9 in 50 overs (Jordan Graham 76, Kemar Dixon 67, Gadson Bowens 62, R’Jai Gittens 49, Kelani Clarke 37, Raphael Lovell 31 not out, Rajeev Parsooram 17, Jahidi Hinds 15; Aiden Burton 3-36, Kevin Joseph 2-51).

WINDWARD ISLANDS 273-7 in 50 overs (Theo Edward 92, Tyler Venner 67 not out, Aiden Burton 47, Kevin Joseph 24 not out, Cody Fontinelle 14; Rajeev Parsooram 3-46, Jahidi Hinds 2-63).

Cabinet has approved memorandums of understanding with two United States companies that could pave the way for almost US$2 billion in investment and create hundreds of jobs at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate, according to the new Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy, Philip Kern.

Speaking at a reception marking the 250th anniversary of American independence on Friday, Kern said the agreements represented the latest step in strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

“I am pleased to share that today, the Cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago approved Memorandums of Understanding with two American companies: Pinnacle Steel and Vanadium, and Hummingbird AI,” Kern said. “These agreements create the framework for almost US$2 billion in investment and hundreds of jobs at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate.”

Kern thanked Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John for her leadership, adding, “These local investments show exactly what this partnership can deliver.”

The announcement came as Kern highlighted what he described as the longstanding relationship between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago, spanning security cooperation, trade, education, healthcare and diplomacy.

He said bilateral trade reached nearly US$5.8 billion in 2025, supporting workers and industries in both countries.

“In 2025, goods traded between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago totalled nearly US$5.8 billion,” he said.

Kern also noted ongoing collaboration in security, saying the United States had helped train nearly 900 Trinidad and Tobago law enforcement officials through partnerships targeting firearms trafficking and narcotics, including support for the CARICOM Crime Gun Intelligence Unit.

He pointed to education and healthcare initiatives, including the establishment of a computer laboratory at the Excel Beetham Estate Government Primary School, repairs to Lochmaben Roman Catholic School by US Navy Seabees, and medical services delivered by the USNS Comfort during its visit to Port of Spain last year.

Kern also congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on its election to the United Nations Security Council.

“Trinidad and Tobago’s election to the United Nations Security Council is a proud moment, not only for this country, but for the entire Caribbean,” he said.

“As Trinidad and Tobago brings Caribbean perspectives to the world stage, the United States looks forward to working with you as partners.”

Referring to the relationship between the two countries, Kern said it had been “built over time, tested in important moments, and still carrying us forward.”

He also highlighted the construction of the new US Embassy in Maraval, describing the more than US$400 million project as “a physical embodiment of everything this relationship has been and everything we intend it to become.”