Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 JAMAICA Overall risk level Extreme Defer non-essential travel Extremely dangerous and presents unpredic- table security risks Chaotic; travel impossible Overview Emergency Numbers Medical 110 Upcoming Events 04 September 2021 - 07 September 2021 High risk: Authorities to impose COVID-19 lockdown on 4- 6 September - Update Authorities announced that a COVID-19 lockdown will be imposed from 18:00 local time (23:00 GMT) on 4 September to 05:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on 6 September, due to an uptick in COVID-19 infections. A nightly 19:00-05:00 local time (00:00- 10:00 GMT) curfew is set to follow on weekdays and a 18:00-05:00 local time (23:00-10:00 GMT) curfew on Saturdays from 6 September. Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Jamaica 2 Travel Advisories Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Jamaica 3 Summary Jamaica is an Extreme Risk destination: defer non-essential travel. Extreme Risk locations are extremely dangerous and present unpredictable security risks. Travel, if possible, is likely to be chaotic. Covid-19 Extreme Risk A weekday overnight curfew and weekend lockdown is in place amid another uptick in infections as of August, with an earlier peak reported in March. Borders have reopened. Jamaica has been successful in keeping the infection rate lower than many of its neighbours. Political Instability Moderate Risk A parliamentary democracy led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness of the conservative Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Jamaica has enjoyed political stability since gaining independence in 1962. Since then, elections have periodically sparked street violence but the results have always been accepted. Relative political stability is threatened by endemic crime and corruption and persisting unemployment and underemployment, particularly among youth. Conflict Moderate Risk There are no current disputes that portend possible international, state-sponsored, armed conflict as Jamaica has no territorial disputes and has good relations with all of its neighbours. Despite this, criminal gangs and dons pose a serious threat to internal security and have forced the creation of political exclusion zones in slums areas like August Town, Arnett Gardens and Tivoli Gardens in Kingston, Flankers in Montego Bay and May Pen in Clarendon. Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Jamaica 4 Terrorism Low Risk There are no terrorist groups active in the territory and there have been no reported incidents of terrorism or threats made against foreign nationals or foreign interests in Jamaica. Though the threat remains low, overseas economic interests, such as investment by multinational corporations, and foreign states interests, including diplomatic missions and international organisations, make Jamaica indirectly susceptible to terrorist activities. Unrest Moderate Risk Often linked to high levels of unemployment and poverty, protests may occur following hikes in food and fuel prices, unpopular government legislation, government inaction to improve the economy and perceived police corruption and abuse. Violent unrest commonly occurs during election periods across the island and may result in shootings, violent clashes and looting in part due to the fact that gang leaders are known to be politically connected. Crime High Risk Increasing lawlessness, the presence of clandestine death squads and a burgeoning problem with the black market trade of small arms as well as poor police presence and response all contribute to rising crime rates, particularly in Kingston. The most violent areas include Mountain View, Trench Town, Rockfort, Tivoli Gardens and Arnett Gardens in Kingston, Flankers and Mount Salem in Montego Bay, May Pen in Clarendon and Spanish Town in St Catherine; foreign nationals can be targeted or caught in the crossfire of gang-related crime. Petty theft is a significant problem for foreign nationals, particularly in Old Kingston. Natural and Environmental Medium Risk The territory, particularly communities near the Blue Mountains in Kingston and underdeveloped areas in St Andrew, St Thomas, St Elizabeth, Hanover, Trelawny and Westmoreland parishes, is routinely affected by floods and landslides during the annual rainy season which occurs from June to December. Jamaica is also prone to hurricanes, shallow earthquakes and tsunamis. The territory’s infrastructure is not capable of withstanding major environmental calamities. Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Jamaica 5 Health and Medical Medium Risk Medical facilities are adequate in all tourist areas and in Kingston. Medical care and hospitals are limited in remote areas, with smaller public hospitals or clinics located in each parish. Serious medical emergencies will require evacuation due to lack of equipment. Outbreaks of mosquito-borne viruses are common as are waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases, , with more serious outbreaks occurring periodically. Local Travel Medium Risk Travel in Jamaica can be dangerous due to poorly maintained roads, speeding vehicles and crime on public transport. Minibuses for hire should be preferred instead of inter- city buses as they are accident prone, often overcrowded and carry a risk of petty theft. Only authorized taxis should be used due to the prevalence of fare scams and robberies, particularly in Kingston and Montego Bay. Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Jamaica 6 Political Overview : Moderate Risk Since gaining independence in 1962, power has alternated between the social democratic People's National Party (PNP) and the conservative Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). The country's 18th general election, constitutionally due by June 2021, was called early for 3 September 2020, in a bid to capitalise on people's satisfaction with the ruling JLP's economic agenda and early response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Incumbent Prime Minister Andrew Holness led the JLP to a landslide victory with 49 of the parliament's 63 seats, amid a record-low 37 percent voter turnout. Holness will embark on a second term amid concerns about the impact of COVID-19, high crime rates and alleged corruption among public officials, following a victory in the 2016 election over Portia Lucretia Simpson-Miller and the PNP. The JLP has continued the PNP's efforts that helped to improve the heavily indebted economy - including austerity measures introduced in 2013 which raised the GDP and cut inflation to a 48- year low - with the unemployment rate at all-time low and public debt expected to further decline below 60 percent by 2026. Both the PNP and JLP are closely connected with labour unions on the island, which, in part, is a cause for increased levels of civil unrest and some violence during election periods. The JLP is linked to the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), while the PNP is tied to the National Workers Union (NWU). Both parties utilise union support as a political tool, resulting in political demonstrations that often escalate into violence; local government elections in December 2007 resulted in political violence with over twenty murders reported during election week. Despite the hostility, results have been traditionally respected and political institutions remain legitimate. Relative political stability, however, only recently translated into economic growth. Buffeted by the global economic crisis, the country turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2010 for a USD1.27 billion economic lifeline. Since then, inflation rates have decreased and GDP has experienced marginal growth. Nonetheless, future economic growth faces many challenges including endemic crime and corruption and persisting unemployment and underemployment, particularly among youth. Increasing lawlessness, the presence of clandestine death squads, and a burgeoning problem with the black market trade of small arms all contribute to rising crime rates, Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Jamaica 7 particularly in Kingston and other urban centres where ghettos proliferate. Ghettos, or shantytowns, are controlled by 'dons' who derive power from political connections as well as maintaining a hold on a portion of the island's drug trade. These ghettos are considered to be extremely dangerous and a source of criminal activity on the island. There are no recent incidents Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Jamaica 8 Conflict : Moderate Risk Internal Conflicts: Criminal gangs and dons pose a serious threat to internal security and could evolve into a more potent and cohesive force that challenges the state apparatus. Gang leaders exert coercive control of communities mainly through extortion and drug smuggling, which has led to the creation of political exclusion zones and garrisons - usually slum areas like August Town, Central Kingston, May Pen and Flankers. Order and justice in garrison communities are, essentially, within the purview of the don, and increasingly so is economic power. The garrisons create havens for major criminal enterprises and shelters for petty criminals and hustlers. As such, the state is ceding real authority to criminal warlords who define these garrison communities. In the worst-case scenario, political and social tolerance of gangs/dons/garrison political communities could eventually challenge the legitimacy of the state. Strength of Military Forces: The Jamaican Defence Force (JDF) includes Ground Forces, Coast Guard and Air Wing, boasting approximately 2,800 active duty personnel with 950 reserves. The JDF is responsible for defending Jamaica