Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness left the country on Tuesday for Washington, where he will meet with a number of US state agencies to discuss security issues.
The announcement was made during a press briefing where he reimposed the states of emergency in several parishes.
Holness is expected to meet with the Justice Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, among other state agencies.
He said the meetings aim to break the link between overseas criminals and those on the island, which frequently results in murders and bloodshed.
Andrew Holness said the meetings are intended to start the process of establishing more intense cooperation in dealing with “foreign actors” in the country’s local crimes.
“I’m serious. If you are overseas and you are sponsoring, directing, and soliciting; if you are financing crime in Jamaica we’re going to get you,” Holness said.
The prime minister said the move is part of efforts to strengthen the country’s capacity to combat crime without resorting to emergency powers.
