FREE | PAGES: 24 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com SIGN UP FOR OUR EPAPER @ epaper.jamaica-gleaner.com/na DECEMBER 11, 2023 - JANUARY 10, 2024 | VOL 2051 Clarke. DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCE DOUBLED FOR J’CANS -Gov’t to forgo $1b with 100% spike P3: Ready to help JAMAICA IS to give up between $1 billion and $1.5 billion in revenue annually with the 100 per cent increase in duty-free allowance, Minister of Finance Dr Nigel Clarke has confirmed. P10: 35 new Jamaican citizens sworn in at New York consulate n New York City Police Department’s First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella willing to assist local crime fight P5: Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore gets Caribbean Heritage Luminary Award P11-16: Share the joy of the season with Jamaican Christmas meal recipes - Six persons receive CG Heritage Award THE MONTHLY NORTH AMERICA EDITION >P3
THE MONTHLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 11, 2023 - JANUARY 10, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 2 IT’S PROBABLY too late to expect Nicolás Maduro to do the right thing and abandon Wednesday’s referendum asking Venezuelans to pronounce on their country’s claim to two-thirds of Guyana. BUT, AS he pursues this rash policy, we hope that Mr Maduro doesn’t miscalculate, leading to unintended consequences, including conflict between the two countries. In any event, Mr Maduro must be reminded where the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) stands on this matter: with Guyana; on the side of international law, and with a resolve to extract a political and economic price from Caracas if its provocation moves beyond boundary in internal, domestic posturings. In this regard, Mr Maduro must be aware that CARICOM isn’t without muscle. Venezuela has long claimed Guyana’s 62,000-square-mile Essequibo region, saying that it was unfairly awarded to Britain, Guyana’s colonial ruler, by an 1899 arbitration in which Venezuela was a big player. At Guyana’s Independence in 1966 the parties agreed to continue to work towards a resolution of the dispute and for a long time used the ‘good offices’ of an interlocutor appointed by the United Nations secretary-general. However, five years ago, Guyana took the dispute to the International Court of Justice for resolution. Venezuela continues to insist that the World Court has no jurisdiction in the matter, despite the court’s ruling that it does. Last month, Mr Maduro’s government confirmed the resolution in which Venezuelans are being asked to affirm that the Paris arbitration agreement was fraudulent and that it deprived “us or our Guyana Esequiba”. Venezuelans are also being asked to confirm that the 1966 agreement is the only valid route for resolving the problem and to endorse the government’s stance that the World Court is without jurisdiction in the issue. CONCERNED What, however, has particularly concerned CARICOM is the call for the endorsement of the unilateral creation of a Venezuelan state in the Essequibo region and to “reject by all means in accordance with the law” the arbitration ruling and Guyana’s recent award of oil exploration licences in the seas off Essequibo. “It is open to reasonable persons to conclude that ‘by all means’ includes means of force or war,” CARICOM said in an October 25 statement. This newspaper shares that view, as well as the analysis that Mr Maduro’s action at this time is the type of jingoistic sabre-rattling that leaders often get up to, hoping to rally their citizens. In this case, Mr Maduro probably wants to build support for himself and his party ahead of next year’s assembly and presidential elections and distract attention from years of internal political and economic crisis, which was exacerbated by US sanctions. But as this newspaper warned on October 26, actions of this type have a tendency of spiralling out of control. It is not enough for Venezuelan officials to just declare that the government’s consulting its citizens is nobody else’s business. Not when the question posed can be interpreted, as CARICOM noted, as a veiled threat. The community, or most of it, rightly defended Caracas, during America’s economic and political harassment, including the ill-advised and ill-fated move of appointing Juan Guaidó interim president. But such support can’t be carte blanche or at the expense of a community member, notwithstanding the economic benefits the region enjoyed under the Petrocaribe oil accord. In that respect, Mr Maduro is reminded that CARICOM has 15 votes at the United Nations. We believe, too, he wants to maintain the Dragon Field gas project with Trinidad and Tobago CARICOM must be prepared to wield those votes in protection of Guyana and Port of Spain tell Caracas that in the absence of assurance of its good behaviour regarding Essequibo, it is willing to abandon the Dragon Field partnership. Tread carefully, Venezuela Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer THE JAMAICAN Consulate in New York, located in Manhattan, will be moving to its new location by February, ending some 20 years at its current address. THE NEW address will be 300 East 42nd Street, at the intersection of 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue. The space is currently being built out and is on schedule for the early February move. Consul General Alsion Wilson told The Gleaner that leases for the new location have already been signed. The new location will provide much more space than exists at the current location. Wilson said the waiting room will be larger and the new facility will provide a more comfortable space for both staff and customers at the consulate. The consulate will occupy two and a half floors in the building. There will be several enhanced security features at the location to allow for the safety and security of the staff and visitors to the consulate offices, according to the consul general. While she did provide details about the enhanced security features, The Gleaner understands that one measure to make the staff more secure will be bulletproof glass in the waiting area. The consulate, the offices of the Jamaican mission to the United Nations, JAMPRO and the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies, will all be housed at the new location. While a firm move date in February has not yet been agreed on, Wilson told The Gleaner she expects to be operating from the new location in February next year. “My hope was that it would have been later this year, but it depends on the contractors and how quickly they can get the space built out,” she said. The address, 300 East 42nd Street, is a 237,000 square-foot 18-storey full block office building just two blocks from Grand Central train station. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, during a recent visit to New York, toured the space at the new location to see for himself the progress being made. The relocation of the consulate has been a matter of discussion for some time but the necessary steps to facilitate the move were only recently put in place. Wilson said the new location would be larger, affording better comfort for visitors to the consulate. It will also provide easier accessibility as it will be closer to Grand Central. The consulate moved to its present location in 1993. Wilson noted that costs at the current location had become prohibitive. “The new location will provide cost savings as well as afford better accommodations,” she told The Gleaner. Jamaican Consulate in New York to get new address by February Alsion Wilson, consul general. CONTRIBUTED Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer JAMAICA’S PRIME Minister Andrew Holness has said that his recent fourday visit to the United States (US), during which he met with top US officials, was part of his Government’s strategic mission. SPEAKING WEDNESDAY night, during a virtual Diaspora Town Hall meeting hosted by Jamaica’s ambassador to the US, Audrey Marks, the prime minister said he met with the Secretary of the US Navy, President Joe Biden’s security advisor Jake Sullivan, officials of the US Department of Justice and heads of agencies that fall under the department, as well as top congressional representatives, including head of the finance committee. The discussions, the prime minister said, ranged from trade, finance to security issues. “The pending American Trade and Investment Act currently before congress was one area of discussion,” the prime minister pointed out. He also said he discussed a number of security issues with US officials, including youth rehabilitation. During his presentation, the prime minister touched on a number of topics, including duties on items donated to Jamaica from diaspora organisations, crime and security and productivity, which he said was the new emphasis of the administration. UNITY KEY He said that if the country is not careful, crime and violence could become a part of the Jamaican brand. “If we can come together to treat with crime and violence, we can be successful in reducing crime,”the prime minister told participants in the town hall. The prime minister said the diaspora has a role to play in guiding the conversation in the controlling of crime in Jamaica. “If each family member reached out and discuss the issue of crime, the issue could be better controlled,” he said. He said the partnership in controlling crime is the responsibility of each and every Jamaican at home and abroad. Holness said that, although hate speech is not prevalent in Jamaica, the Government was mindful of that issue and was taking steps to control it. The prime minister fielded a number of questions from audience members on a wide range of issues with the town hall going well beyond the originally set cut-off time. Joining Holness at the town hall meeting was Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade. editorial@gleanerjm.com Four-day visit to US part of strategic mission, says PM THE WEEKLY GLEANER | JULY 24 - AUGUST 31, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 2 JAMAICA’S AMBASSADOR to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Audrey Marks, was on Monday, July 17, sworn in as chair of the Permanent Council of the OAS for the fourth time. She succeeds outgoing Chair and Permanent Representative of Uruguay, Ambassador Washington Abdala. Ambassador Marks accepted the ceremonial gavel of authority at an installation ceremony held in the Hall of the Americas at the OAS headquarters in Washington DC, which was attended by Secretary General Luis Almagro and Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Nestor Mendez, and a large gathering of members of the Permanent Council. Jamaica’s newly appointed alternative representative to the OAS, Delita McCallum, was also in attendance. Ambassador Marks said she was “assuming the Chair of the Permanent Council at a time when we are still on the path to economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time, adjusting to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti and the persistent threat of climate change and inadequate access to climate financing”. Ambassador Marks pointed out that “as developing countries, and particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), our region remains extremely vulnerable to external shocks”. “Our countries continue to grapple with food and energy insecurity, non-communicable diseases, challenges to democratic governance and development agendas, which are constantly undermined by crime and violence, propelled by the flow of guns to our region,” she added. Ambassador Marks further pointed out that peace and security remained a top priority for the Latin American and Caribbean region, and in this regard“we must continue our joint efforts in support of our sister CARICOM country Haiti, within the context of a Haitian-led solution, to return normalcy to the country”. She emphasised that it is important to uphold the principles of democracy and human rights, which were key ideals enshrined in the OAS Charter. “It is imperative that we remain steadfast in our efforts towards greater economic and social inclusion of marginalised communities, digital transformation of all sectors, and increased access to digital technologies,”she noted. “Our engagement at the recently concluded 53rd Regular Session of the OAS reminded us of the inextricable links between human rights, democracy and sustainable development. Let us also remain cognisant of the importance of engagement of our youth across the various sectors in our society, to allow them the space to grow and develop and to foster their creativity,”Ambassador Marks added. Jamaica assumes chair of OAS Permanent Council Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Audrey Marks, receives the gavel of authority as the new Chair of the OAS Permanent Council from outgoing Chair, and Permanent Representative of Uruguay, Ambassador Washington Abdala. The handover took place on Monday, July 17 at the Hall of the Americas in Washington DC. Looking (from left) are Vice Chair of the Permanent Council, and Ambassador of Honduras to the United States, Carlos Roberto Quesada and Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro. JIS Boxhill was born in Mandeville, Board of We cannot raise taxes so we have to make a concerted effort to reopen businesses that have closed and to bring He also sees a need to bring the various communities of Mount Vernon together to work for the benefit of the will be able to bring new ideas and fiscal oversight to the city,” he said. -Lester Hinds Boxhill CONTRIBUTED 3 WASHINGTON (AP): PRESIDENT JOE Biden announced Thursday that hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the US illegally as children will be able to apply for Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges. The action will allow participants in the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme, or DACA, to access government-funded health insurance programs. “They’re American in every way except for on paper,” Biden said in a video released on his Twitter page. “We need to give Dreamers the opportunities and support they deserve.” The action is likely to generate significant pushback from conservative leaders of states that have been have been reluctant to expand Medicaid and critical of the Biden administration’s response to migrants who enter the US illegally. While the federal government provides funding and guidelines for Medicaid, the programme is administered by the states. Then-President Barack Obama launched the 2012 DACA initiative to shield from deportation immigrants who were brought to the US illegally by their parents as children and to allow them to work legally in the country. However, the immigrants, known as “Dreamers”, were still ineligible for government-subsidised health insurance programmes because they did not meet the definition for having “lawful presence” in the US. Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services will aim to change that by the end of the month. The White House action comes as the DACA programme is in legal peril and the number of people eligible is shrinking. An estimated 580,000 people were still enrolled in DACA at the end of last year, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services. That number is down from previous years. Court orders currently prevent the US Department of Homeland Security from processing new applications. The DACA programme has been mired in legal challenges for years, while Congress has been unable to reach consensus on broader immigration reforms. DACA recipients can work legally and must pay taxes, but they don’t have full legal status and are denied many benefits, including access to federally funded health insurance, available to US citizens and foreigners living in the US. Other classes of immigrants – including asylum seekers and people with temporary protected status – are already eligible to purchase insurance through the marketplaces of the ACA, Obama’s 2010 health are law, often called “Obamacare”. and was responsible for the management of Jamaica’s relations with international organisations, such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth. Among her duties was the provision of policy advice to government delegations; monitoring international political developments in the preparation of policy recommendations, and providing responses to Jamaican overseas missions and other ministries. “One of the most important things that we need to strengthen is our cultural relations. That is a natural synergy, because both cultures are so similar. We came from them. We are them, but we have evolved and have our own persona. So, one of the first things that I would want to do is to strengthen our culture,” she told The Gleaner. STRENGTHEN PROJECTS In the sphere of cultural corporation there are already some agreements, she said, but stated that a number of projects are in the pipeline to be strengthened, beginning in the southern part of Africa and moving to the east. Cultural links will spawn a number of areas to include education, tourism, and training services, as she believes there are lessons to be learnt both ways. High Commissioner Thomas Edwards will also be seeking to cement relationships using low-hanging fruits that are likely to bring quick successes in the shortest possible time in areas of trade. “Then we are going to move towards trade issues. Right now the trade between and Africa is almost negligible and we want to improve on that. But it is something that you have to build over time. So that’s another prong in terms of our objectives that we want to build on. So we want to promote an exchange of ideas and understanding between the continent and Jamaica,” she stated. According to COMTRADE, the UN database, Jamaica imports from South Africa US$5M in 2021. In the same period COMTRADE noted that Jamaican exports to South Africa were US$74,014. She hopes to boost the numbers from Jamaica. Asked how she will navigate duties in the 18 countries she said there were many lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic that will assist, but she will be working closely with a network of hard-working honorary consuls in each country for the most part. She promised to visit all 18 countries. She challenged the diaspora to hold up the country’s flag. “To the Jamaicans in the diaspora, continue to build, to stamp Jamaica’s footprint in Africa. One of the things I want to see is that Jamaica is seen not only as sea, sand and reggae, but we are country that is serious about making its name known even more on the world stage,”she told The Gleaner. High Commissioner Edwards holds a master’s degree in public policy from the American University in Washington, DC; a Bachelor of Law from the University of London, and a Bachelor of Arts from The University of the West Indies. She was called to the Bar in Jamaica and Belize. A past student of Excelsior High School, St Andrew, she is married with three children. CULTURE Continued from, 2 moya.thomas@gleanerjm.com Moya Thomas Biden says he’s expanding some migrants’ healthcare access President Joe Biden speaks about his administration’s plans to protect Social Security and Medicare and lower healthcare costs, Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida AP THE MONTHLY GLEANER | APRIL 17 - MAY 23, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS Anthony Smith – Deputy CEO – Print & Digital Services anthony.smith@rjrgleaner.com THE WEEKLY GLEANER | JULY 24 - AUGUST 31, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 2 JAMAICA’S AMBASSADOR to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Audrey Marks, was on Monday, July 17, sworn in as chair of the Permanent Council of the OAS for the fourth time. She succeeds outgoing Chair and Permanent Representative of Uruguay, Ambassador Washington Abdala. Ambassador Marks accepted the ceremonial gavel of authority at an installation ceremony held in the Hall of the Americas at the OAS headquarters in Washington DC, which was attended by Secretary General Luis Almagro and Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Nestor Mendez, and a large gathering of members of the Permanent Council. Jamaica’s newly appointed alternative representative to the OAS, Delita McCallum, was also in attendance. Ambassador Marks said she was “assuming the Chair of the Permanent Council at a time when we are still on the path to economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time, adjusting to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti and the persistent threat of climate change and inadequate access to climate financing”. Ambassador Marks pointed out that “as developing countries, and particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), our region remains extremely vulnerable to external shocks”. “Our countries continue to grapple with food and energy insecurity, non-communicable diseases, challenges to democratic governance and development agendas, which are constantly undermined by crime and violence, propelled by the flow of guns to our region,” she added. Ambassador Marks further pointed out that peace and security remained a top priority for the Latin American and Caribbean region, and in this regard“we must continue our joint efforts in support of our sister CARICOM country Haiti, within the context of a Haitian-led solution, to return normalcy to the country”. She emphasised that it is important to uphold the principles of democracy and human rights, which were key ideals enshrined in the OAS Charter. “It is imperative that we remain steadfast in our efforts towards greater economic and social inclusion of marginalised communities, digital transformation of all sectors, and increased access to digital technologies,”she noted. “Our engagement at the recently concluded 53rd Regular Session of the OAS reminded us of the inextricable links between human rights, democracy and sustainable development. Let us also remain cognisant of the importance of engagement of our youth across the various sectors in our society, to allow them the space to grow and develop and to foster their creativity,”Ambassador Marks added. Jamaica assumes chair of OAS Permanent Council Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Audrey Marks, receives the gavel of authority as the new Chair of the OAS Permanent Council from outgoing Chair, and Permanent Representative of Uruguay, Ambassador Washington Abdala. The handover took place on Monday, July 17 at the Hall of the Americas in Washington DC. Looking (from left) are Vice Chair of the Permanent Council, and Ambassador of Honduras to the United States, Carlos Roberto Quesada and Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro. JIS Mandeville, nesses that have closed and to bring together to work for the benefit of the -Lester Hinds Boxhill CONTRIBUTED 3 WASHINGTON (AP): PRESIDENT JOE Biden announced Thursday that hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the US illegally as children will be able to apply for Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges. The action will allow participants in the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme, or DACA, to access government-funded health insurance programs. “They’re American in every way except for on paper,” Biden said in a video released on his Twitter page. “We need to give Dreamers the opportunities and support they deserve.” The action is likely to generate significant pushback from conservative leaders of states that have been have been reluctant to expand Medicaid and critical of the Biden administration’s response to migrants who enter the US illegally. While the federal government provides funding and guidelines for Medicaid, the programme is administered by the states. Then-President Barack Obama launched the 2012 DACA initiative to shield from deportation immigrants who were brought to the US illegally by their parents as children and to allow them to work legally in the country. However, the immigrants, known as “Dreamers”, were still ineligible for government-subsidised health insurance programmes because they did not meet the definition for having “lawful presence” in the US. Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services will aim to change that by the end of the month. The White House action comes as the DACA programme is in legal peril and the number of people eligible is shrinking. An estimated 580,000 people were still enrolled in DACA at the end of last year, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services. That number is down from previous years. Court orders currently prevent the US Department of Homeland Security from processing new applications. The DACA programme has been mired in legal challenges for years, while Congress has been unable to reach consensus on broader immigration reforms. DACA recipients can work legally and must pay taxes, but they don’t have full legal status and are denied many benefits, including access to federally funded health insurance, available to US citizens and foreigners living in the US. Other classes of immigrants – including asylum seekers and people with temporary protected status – are already eligible to purchase insurance through the marketplaces of the ACA, Obama’s 2010 health are law, often called “Obamacare”. and was responsible for the management of Jamaica’s relations with international organisations, such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth. Among her duties was the provision of policy advice to government delegations; monitoring international political developments in the preparation of policy recommendations, and providing responses to Jamaican overseas missions and other ministries. “One of the most important things that we need to strengthen is our cultural relations. That is a natural synergy, because both cultures are so similar. We came from them. We are them, but we have evolved and have our own persona. So, one of the first things that I would want to do is to strengthen our culture,” she told The Gleaner. STRENGTHEN PROJECTS In the sphere of cultural corporation there are already some agreements, she said, but stated that a number of projects are in the pipeline to be strengthened, beginning in the southern part of Africa and moving to the east. Cultural links will spawn a number of areas to include education, tourism, and training services, as she believes there are lessons to be learnt both ways. High Commissioner Thomas Edwards will also be seeking to cement relationships using low-hanging fruits that are likely to bring quick successes in the shortest possible time in areas of trade. “Then we are going to move towards trade issues. Right now the trade between and Africa is almost negligible and we want to improve on that. But it is something that you have to build over time. So that’s another prong in terms of our objectives that we want to build on. So we want to promote an exchange of ideas and understanding between the continent and Jamaica,” she stated. According to COMTRADE, the UN database, Jamaica imports from South Africa US$5M in 2021. In the same period COMTRADE noted that Jamaican exports to South Africa were US$74,014. She hopes to boost the numbers from Jamaica. Asked how she will navigate duties in the 18 countries she said there were many lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic that will assist, but she will be working closely with a network of hard-working honorary consuls in each country for the most part. She promised to visit all 18 countries. She challenged the diaspora to hold up the country’s flag. “To the Jamaicans in the diaspora, continue to build, to stamp Jamaica’s footprint in Africa. One of the things I want to see is that Jamaica is seen not only as sea, sand and reggae, but we are country that is serious about making its name known even more on the world stage,”she told The Gleaner. High Commissioner Edwards holds a master’s degree in public policy from the American University in Washington, DC; a Bachelor of Law from the University of London, and a Bachelor of Arts from The University of the West Indies. She was called to the Bar in Jamaica and Belize. A past student of Excelsior High School, St Andrew, she is married with three children. CULTURE Continued from, 2 moya.thomas@gleanerjm.com Moya Thomas Biden says he’s expanding some migrants’ healthcare access President Joe Biden speaks about his administration’s plans to protect Social Security and Medicare and lower healthcare costs, Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida AP THE MONTHLY GLEANER | APRIL 17 - MAY 23, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS Anthony Smith – Deputy CEO – Print & Digital Services anthony.smith@rjrgleaner.com THE WEEKLY GLEANER | JULY 24 - AUGUST 31, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS SADOR to the d Permanent he Organization OAS), Audrey July 17, sworn nent Council of time. oing Chair and ive of Uruguay, n Abdala. cepted the cerrity at an instal- the Hall of the eadquarters in was attended is Almagro and ral Ambassador arge gathering manent Council. ointed alternahe OAS, Delita ttendance. said she was the Permanent we are still on the path to economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time, adjusting to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti and the persistent threat of climate change and inadequate access to climate financing”. Ambassador Marks pointed out that “as developing countries, and particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), our region remains extremely vulnerable to external shocks”. “Our countries continue to grapple with food and energy insecurity, non-communicable diseases, challenges to democratic governance and development agendas, which are constantly undermined by crime and violence, propelled by the flow of guns to our region,” she added. Ambassador Marks further pointed out that peace and security remained a top priority for the Latin American and Caribbean region, and in this regard“we must continue our joint efforts in support of our sister CARICOM country Haiti, within the context of a Haitian-led solution, to return normalcy to the country”. She emphasised that it is important to uphold the principles of democracy and human rights, which were key ideals enshrined in the OAS Charter. “It is imperative that we remain steadfast in our efforts towards greater economic and social inclusion of marginalised communities, digital transformation of all sectors, and increased access to digital technologies,”she noted. “Our engagement at the recently concluded 53rd Regular Session of the OAS reminded us of the inextricable links between human rights, democracy and sustainable development. Let us also remain cognisant of the importance of engagement of our youth across the various sectors in our society, to allow them the space to grow and develop and to foster their creativity,”Ambassador Marks added. aica assumes chair of S Permanent Council Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Audrey Marks, receives the gavel of authority as the new Chair of the OAS Permanent Council from outgoing Chair, and Permanent Representative of Uruguay, Ambassador Washington Abdala. The handover took place on Monday, July 17 at the Hall of the Americas in Washington DC. Looking (from left) are Vice Chair of the Permanent Council, and Ambassador of Honduras to the United States, Carlos Roberto Quesada and Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro. JIS Board of We cannot raise taxes so we have to make a concerted effort to reopen businesses that have closed and to bring He also sees a need to bring the various communities of Mount Vernon together to work for the benefit of the will be able to bring new ideas and fiscal oversight to the city,” he said. -Lester Hinds Boxhill CONTRIBUTED 3 Biden announced dreds of thousands rought to the US ll be able to apply fordable Care Act’s anges. participants in the ction for Childhood or DACA, to access health insurance every way except for a video released on ed to give Dreamers pport they deserve.” generate significant pushback from conservative leaders of states that have been have been reluctant to expand Medicaid and critical of the Biden administration’s response to migrants who enter the US illegally. While the federal government provides funding and guidelines for Medicaid, the programme is administered by the states. Then-President Barack Obama launched the 2012 DACA initiative to shield from deportation immigrants who were brought to the US illegally by their parents as children and to allow them to work legally in the country. However, the immigrants, known as “Dreamers”, were still ineligible for government-subsidised health insurance programmes because they did not meet the definition for having “lawful presence” in the US. Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services will aim to change that by the end of the month. The White House action comes as the DACA programme is in legal peril and the number of people eligible is shrinking. An estimated 580,000 people were still enrolled in DACA at the end of last year, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services. That number is down from previous years. Court orders currently prevent the US Department of Homeland Security from processing new applications. The DACA programme has been mired in legal challenges for years, while Congress has been unable to reach consensus on broader immigration reforms. DACA recipients can work legally and must pay taxes, but they don’t have full legal status and are denied many benefits, including access to federally funded health insurance, available to US citizens and foreigners living in the US. Other classes of immigrants – including asylum seekers and people with temporary protected status – are already eligible to purchase insurance through the marketplaces of the ACA, Obama’s 2010 health are law, often called “Obamacare”. and was responsible for the management of Jamaica’s relations with international organisations, such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth. Among her duties was the provision of policy advice to government delegations; monitoring international political developments in the preparation of policy recommendations, and providing responses to Jamaican overseas missions and other ministries. “One of the most important things that we need to strengthen is our cultural relations. That is a natural synergy, because both cultures are so similar. We came from them. We are them, but we have evolved and have our own persona. So, one of the first things that I would want to do is to strengthen our culture,” she told The Gleaner. STRENGTHEN PROJECTS In the sphere of cultural corporation there are already some agreements, she said, but stated that a number of projects are in the pipeline to be strengthened, beginning in the southern part of Africa and moving to the east. Cultural links will spawn a number of areas to include education, tourism, and training services, as she believes there are lessons to be learnt both ways. High Commissioner Thomas Edwards will also be seeking to cement relationships using low-hanging fruits that are likely to bring quick successes in the shortest possible time in areas of trade. “Then we are going to move towards trade issues. Right now the trade between and Africa is almost negligible and we want to improve on that. But it is something that you have to build over time. So that’s another prong in terms of our objectives that we want to build on. So we want to promote an exchange of ideas and understanding between the continent and Jamaica,” she stated. According to COMTRADE, the UN database, Jamaica imports from South Africa US$5M in 2021. In the same period COMTRADE noted that Jamaican exports to South Africa were US$74,014. She hopes to boost the numbers from Jamaica. Asked how she will navigate duties in the 18 countries she said there were many lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic that will assist, but she will be working closely with a network of hard-working honorary consuls in each country for the most part. She promised to visit all 18 countries. She challenged the diaspora to hold up the country’s flag. “To the Jamaicans in the diaspora, continue to build, to stamp Jamaica’s footprint in Africa. One of the things I want to see is that Jamaica is seen not only as sea, sand and reggae, but we are country that is serious about making its name known even more on the world stage,”she told The Gleaner. High Commissioner Edwards holds a master’s degree in public policy from the American University in Washington, DC; a Bachelor of Law from the University of London, and a Bachelor of Arts from The University of the West Indies. She was called to the Bar in Jamaica and Belize. A past student of Excelsior High School, St Andrew, she is married with three children. CULTURE Continued from, 2 moya.thomas@gleanerjm.com Moya Thomas en says he’s anding some migrants’ thcare access aks about his administration’s plans to protect Social Security and Medicare and lower healthcare costs, Thursday, University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida AP THE MONTHLY GLEANER | APRIL 17 - MAY 23, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS Anthony Smith – Deputy CEO – Print & Digital Services anthony.smith@rjrgleaner.com THE WEEKLY GLEANER | JULY 24 - AUGUST 31, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS he nt on ey rn of nd ay, eralhe in ed nd or ng l. ata as nt he path to economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time, adjusting to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti and the persistent threat of climate change and inadequate access to climate financing”. Ambassador Marks pointed out that “as developing countries, and particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), our region remains extremely vulnerable to external shocks”. “Our countries continue to grapple with food and energy insecurity, non-communicable diseases, challenges to democratic governance and development agendas, which are constantly undermined by crime and violence, propelled by the flow of guns to our region,” she added. Ambassador Marks further pointed out that peace and security remained a top priority for the Latin American and Caribbean region, and in this regard“we must continue our joint efforts in support of our sister CARICOM country Haiti, within the context of a Haitian-led solution, to return normalcy to the country”. She emphasised that it is important to uphold the principles of democracy and human rights, which were key ideals enshrined in the OAS Charter. “It is imperative that we remain steadfast in our efforts towards greater economic and social inclusion of marginalised communities, digital transformation of all sectors, and increased access to digital technologies,”she noted. “Our engagement at the recently concluded 53rd Regular Session of the OAS reminded us of the inextricable links between human rights, democracy and sustainable development. Let us also remain cognisant of the importance of engagement of our youth across the various sectors in our society, to allow them the space to grow and develop and to foster their creativity,”Ambassador Marks added. a assumes chair of ermanent Council Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Audrey Marks, receives the gavel of authority as the new Chair of the OAS Permanent Council from outgoing Chair, and Permanent Representative of Uruguay, Ambassador Washington Abdala. The handover took place on Monday, July 17 at the Hall of the Americas in Washington DC. Looking (from left) are Vice Chair of the Permanent Council, and Ambassador of Honduras to the United States, Carlos Roberto Quesada and Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro. JIS Board of We cannot raise taxes so we have to make a concerted effort to reopen businesses that have closed and to bring He also sees a need to bring the various communities of Mount Vernon together to work for the benefit of the will be able to bring new ideas and fiscal oversight to the city,” he said. -Lester Hinds Boxhill CONTRIBUTED 3 unced usands he US apply e Act’s in the dhood access rance ept for sed on amers eserve.” ificant pushback from conservative leaders of states that have been have been reluctant to expand Medicaid and critical of the Biden administration’s response to migrants who enter the US illegally. While the federal government provides funding and guidelines for Medicaid, the programme is administered by the states. Then-President Barack Obama launched the 2012 DACA initiative to shield from deportation immigrants who were brought to the US illegally by their parents as children and to allow them to work legally in the country. However, the immigrants, known as “Dreamers”, were still ineligible for government-subsidised health insurance programmes because they did not meet the definition for having “lawful presence” in the US. Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services will aim to change that by the end of the month. The White House action comes as the DACA programme is in legal peril and the number of people eligible is shrinking. An estimated 580,000 people were still enrolled in DACA at the end of last year, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services. That number is down from previous years. Court orders currently prevent the US Department of Homeland Security from processing new applications. The DACA programme has been mired in legal challenges for years, while Congress has been unable to reach consensus on broader immigration reforms. DACA recipients can work legally and must pay taxes, but they don’t have full legal status and are denied many benefits, including access to federally funded health insurance, available to US citizens and foreigners living in the US. Other classes of immigrants – including asylum seekers and people with temporary protected status – are already eligible to purchase insurance through the marketplaces of the ACA, Obama’s 2010 health are law, often called “Obamacare”. and was responsible for the management of Jamaica’s relations with international organisations, such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth. Among her duties was the provision of policy advice to government delegations; monitoring international political developments in the preparation of policy recommendations, and providing responses to Jamaican overseas missions and other ministries. “One of the most important things that we need to strengthen is our cultural relations. That is a natural synergy, because both cultures are so similar. We came from them. We are them, but we have evolved and have our own persona. So, one of the first things that I would want to do is to strengthen our culture,” she told The Gleaner. STRENGTHEN PROJECTS In the sphere of cultural corporation there are already some agreements, she said, but stated that a number of projects are in the pipeline to be strengthened, beginning in the southern part of Africa and moving to the east. Cultural links will spawn a number of areas to include education, tourism, and training services, as she believes there are lessons to be learnt both ways. High Commissioner Thomas Edwards will also be seeking to cement relationships using low-hanging fruits that are likely to bring quick successes in the shortest possible time in areas of trade. “Then we are going to move towards trade issues. Right now the trade between and Africa is almost negligible and we want to improve on that. But it is something that you have to build over time. So that’s another prong in terms of our objectives that we want to build on. So we want to promote an exchange of ideas and understanding between the continent and Jamaica,” she stated. According to COMTRADE, the UN database, Jamaica imports from South Africa US$5M in 2021. In the same period COMTRADE noted that Jamaican exports to South Africa were US$74,014. She hopes to boost the numbers from Jamaica. Asked how she will navigate duties in the 18 countries she said there were many lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic that will assist, but she will be working closely with a network of hard-working honorary consuls in each country for the most part. She promised to visit all 18 countries. She challenged the diaspora to hold up the country’s flag. “To the Jamaicans in the diaspora, continue to build, to stamp Jamaica’s footprint in Africa. One of the things I want to see is that Jamaica is seen not only as sea, sand and reggae, but we are country that is serious about making its name known even more on the world stage,”she told The Gleaner. High Commissioner Edwards holds a master’s degree in public policy from the American University in Washington, DC; a Bachelor of Law from the University of London, and a Bachelor of Arts from The University of the West Indies. She was called to the Bar in Jamaica and Belize. A past student of Excelsior High School, St Andrew, she is married with three children. CULTURE Continued from, 2 homas@gleanerjm.com Thomas says he’s ding some grants’ care access administration’s plans to protect Social Security and Medicare and lower healthcare costs, Thursday, ampa in Tampa, Florida AP THE MONTHLY GLEANER | APRIL 17 - MAY 23, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS Anthony Smith – Deputy CEO – Print & Digital Services anthony.smith@rjrgleaner.com Gary Allen – Chief Executive Officer gary.allen@gleanerjm.com – Editor-In-Chief
Tanesha Mundle/Staff Reporter THE MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR fraud and irregularities uncovered at Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) have ballooned past US$30 million with more than 200 accounts impacted. THE FINANCIAL Investigations Division (FID) shared the update in a statement last Wednesday while noting that the investigation is ongoing. However, the division laments that despite numerous appeals and direct means of communication, it has only received 23 official statements from affected individuals and entities. So far, investigators have only arrested and charged one individual. Jean Ann Panton, a former SSL client relationship manager, is facing a 21-count indictment charging her with forgery, larceny as a servant, and engaging in a transaction involving criminal property. She is charged in relation to sums that were fleeced from the accounts of 40 clients, including the company owned by sports sensation Usain Bolt. Panton, who was previously denied bail, reappeared in the Home Circuit Court last week and was remanded until May 27. INTERNATIONAL PROBE But the FID said: “The investigative process is far advanced, and we are now at the point where a file is currently with the prosecutors who are reviewing the evidential material with a view to discerning the possible charges. “Notably, these investigations transcend national boundaries, with inquiries extending beyond Jamaica. Leveraging international mechanisms such as the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and employing informal channels like law enforcement-to-law enforcement inquiries, as well as capitalising on Jamaica’s membership in the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for the Caribbean (ARIN-Carib) underscores the commitment to a thorough and comprehensive examination of the SSL matter.” The agency however emphasised that the complexity of the investigation cannot be understated as it involves a comprehensive examination of events dating back to the inception of SSL in 2006. “The meticulous inquiry requires a thorough analysis of the entire period, scrutinising the flow of investor funds. This process, by its nature, is time-consuming and deliberate. “Presently, the findings indicate potential criminal and regulatory breaches involving both the company itself and individuals associated with it,” the FID further disclosed, while noting that “these matters are distinct from the ongoing court case, which centres on a prolonged fraud affecting numerous investors”. ‘In the meantime, the FID’s director general, Selvin Hay is reiterating previous invitations to clients who have been affected by the irregularities to contact the FID via email at info@fid.gov.jm or via telephone at 876-928-5141-8. “I must emphasise the critical role their cooperation plays in seeking justice through the courts. The FID remains committed to supporting the integrity of the financial system and will spare no effort in bringing all guilty parties to justice,” he said. CASE FILE COMPLETE Turning back to Panton’s case, the court was informed that the case file had been completed as well as disclosure to the defence. Panton’s lawyer, Sylvester Hemmings, while acknowledging receipt of the documents, noted that it was a lot of material to go through and that he was yet to take further instruction from his client. Hence, a date was set in May to give him time to comb through the documents and get further instructions. According to a signed statement made to SSL dated January 7, 2023, Panton admitted that she “used various mechanisms to take money from clients” and that she “created false statements to provide to the clients reflecting what they should have in their accounts and not the sum they actually had in their accounts”. The money was taken “over the course of several years” and the value of the client accounts, with the exception of Bolt’s company, Welljen Limited, was over $700 million. Panton said she took approximately 20 per cent of that sum, in addition to another $109 million. Welljen Limited opened an account with SSL in 2012. However, the account’s value plummeted from J$2 billion (US$12.7 million) in October 2022 to J$1.8 million, or US$12,000, in January this year when the fraud was uncovered. Bolt has not recovered any of the money. tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com SSL fraud balloons past US$30m Offices of the Stocks and Securities Limited in Kingston. FILE Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer NEW YORK City Police Department’s First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella has expressed a willingness to meet with the leadership of the Jamaican Police Force to assist with reducing the country’s crime rate, if asked. “WE HAVE trained with the best across the world and have assisted with training police officers around the world. I would be open to leading a mission to Jamaica to assist if I am asked. I would personally head such a team,” Kinsella told The Gleaner in a telephone interview. She pointed out that the NYPD has different ways that it uses to combat crime and officers from the NYPD go all over the world to help tackle and combat crime. She noted, further, that New York City has seen its crime rate drop this year over last year and attribute this to the work of the men and women of the force who work to keep neighbourhoods safe. Saying that Jamaica is like her second home, the highest ranking woman in the NYPD said she has visited the island on numerous occasions, but never in an official capacity. “I go to Jamaica to relax and have a good time when I go. No one knows who I am, but it would be different if I am there on an official visit,” she said. Kinsella’s father is from St Elizabeth and she disclosed that she still has relatives in the parish whom she visits often. FEELS LIKE HOME The daughter of a Jamaican father and a Guyanese mother, Kinsella said she loves Jamaica. “Whenever I step off the plane, the smell of the air, the friendliness of the people, the vibrant culture it is like I am home. I love my ackee and saltfish, my jerk chicken and jerk pork and swimming in the waters of Jamaica,”she said. Kinsella pointed out that, if she could, she would visit Jamaica more often than she does now. Kinsella began her career with the NYPD in 2003 as a police officer patrolling the streets of the 120th Precinct on Staten Island. In 2008, she was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the 68th Precinct in Brooklyn. Another promotion, this time to lieutenant, followed in 2013 and she was assigned to the 13th Precinct in Manhattan. In 2016 she was promoted to the rank of captain and began her executive career in the NYPD as executive officer of the 120th Precinct. She was designated as the commanding officer of Housing Police Service in Area one and was promoted to deputy inspector in 2019. She was promoted to inspector and later deputy chief of patrol. In July this year, she was promoted to first deputy commissioner, making her the second person in charge of all of the NYPD, which has a force of more than 33,000 officers. Kinsella holds a bachelor of science degree in legal studies and a Master’s degree in Police Leadership and Criminal Justice. As the first woman and woman of colour to hold the position of first deputy commissioner in the NYPD, Kinsella told The Gleaner that her success, rising through the ranks of the NYPD, says to young women and girls that they too can achieve their goals. “As a woman in a male dominated profession, it says that having a seat at the table is important and young women and girls can aspire to attain their goals, also,” she said. Speaking about how the Jamaican community in New York City can assist the police department in its fight against crime, Kinsella said if they see something they should say something. “Get involved in your communities. Be a partner in community affairs. This way we all ensure that our community, our city as a whole, is safer,” she said. Kinsella was last Thursday presented with the Consul General’s Heritage Award during a function held at the offices of the Jamaican Consulate in Manhattan, New York. editorial@gleanerjm.com NYPD’s highest ranked woman ready to help Jamaica fight crime Tania Kinsella, first deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department. CONTRIBUTED THE MONTHLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 11, 2023 - JANUARY 10, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
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