Holness urges CARICOM to classify gang violence as terrorism

...new Chairman calls for united front on crime, drug smuggling, and public health response to violence

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — AS he assumes the Chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness is calling for a stronger, more coordinated regional response to gang violence and drug trafficking—issues he says are threatening the security and prosperity of all member states.

Speaking at the opening of the 49th CARICOM Heads of Government Conference here in Montego Bay last evening (Jul. 6), Holness called on leaders to treat gang violence with the same seriousness as terrorism, describing it as an “existential threat” to regional development.

"I am on record as saying that we need to launch a war on gangs of a similar magnitude and nature to the war on terror,” Holness declared.

He cited findings from a 2024 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report titled Caribbean Gangs, Drugs, Firearms, and Gang Networks in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago, which pointed to a troubling mix of rising drug production in South America, easy access to firearms, and expanding gang networks. These factors, he said, are fueling record levels of violence across the region.

From Guyana and Suriname in the south to the Bahamas and Jamaica in the north and west, Caribbean nations are feeling the impact of this surge in organized crime. Holness stressed that without a secure environment, there can be no lasting prosperity.

In St. Kitts and Nevis, authorities have stepped up their response, seizing illegal drugs and firearms in recent months. Just last week, police executed a search warrant at the home of Bruce Nolan in McKnight, resulting in the discovery of 10 grams of cocaine. He was subsequently charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Supply.

Holness warned that the influence of gangs must be dismantled at the community level. “We must disrupt their financing, cut off their access to weapons, and break their grip on vulnerable populations,” he said.

He also encouraged regional leaders to shift how crime is viewed and addressed, arguing that violence and gang activity should be treated not only as a law enforcement matter, but as a public health issue. Highlighting data from Jamaica, Holness pointed out that 90% of both crime perpetrators and victims are male—making the issue deeply rooted in community and societal dynamics.

As CARICOM Chair, Holness outlined his priorities, which include tackling crime and violence, addressing climate financing, and supporting efforts to stabilize Haiti. He emphasized the need for urgent, unified action.

"If the situation in Haiti is an indicator, these are not ordinary times, and they require urgent action,”,” Holness said.

The two-day conference brings together CARICOM heads of government to discuss pressing regional challenges and opportunities for deeper cooperation.