THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved a further 60day extension of the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) in seven areas across Jamaica. They are DenhamTown,West Kingston; Norwood and Mount Salem, St. James; Greenwich Town, Parade Gardens and August Town in St. Andrew, and Savanna-la-Mar, in Westmoreland. According to statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, as of January 27, for the period prior to and during the declaration of the respective ZOSOs, all areas under the ZOSO recorded reductions in all major crimes, including murder. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang, informed that the first ZOSO was declared in Mount Salem in September 2017, while noting that this Zone is currently in the Build Phase. Dr. Chang pointed out that the data confirm that ZOSOs are contributing to a reduction of risk factors, increasing the capacity and competencies of the residents, and improving the prospects of the beneficiaries. “The Zones of Special Operations have demonstrated their utility in improving the overall social welfare and safety of the residents of these challenged communities. To stop now would be premature. We must, therefore, continue, so that the safety and security of these residents can be truly and fully realised,” he emphasised. PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD, CMC: PRIME MINISTER Dr Keith Rowley described as“disturbing” the circumstances surrounding the High Court’s decision to compensate nine men, who were acquitted of the 2016 murder of a businesswoman, TT$2.1 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) each. On Monday, High Court Master Martha Alexander, awarded the men a total of TT$19,168,917.56 for malicious prosecution and exemplary damages; costs amounting to $200,917.56; and the cost of an expert witness of $68,000. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Prime Minister Rowley said, “As you know, the Cabinet has no role whatsoever in proceedings in the court, but we all follow it as it goes along and elements of it made public. “I am in the same position that you are in. I’ve seen the news. It is very disturbing and as a result of that, I, too, I’m waiting to hear what the Office of the Attorney General has to say tomorrow (Thursday), but clearly, this is an unsatisfactory situation and I amwaiting to hear what the facts are, but this is not what one expects in situations like these.” The damages awarded to the nine men also have interest attached, at a rate of 2.5 per cent, fromMay 29, 2020, to January 30 this year. The nine men – Shervon Peters, Devon Peters, Anthony Gloster, Joel Fraser, Ronald Armstrong, Keida Garcia, Jameel Garcia, Marlon Trimmingham and Antonio Charles – were among 10 people who had gone on trial in 2016 for the murder of Vindra Naipaul-Coolman. The 52-year-old former chief executive of the supermarket chain, Naipaul’s Xtra Foods, was kidnapped from the driveway of her residence in Lange Park, Chaguanas in west central Trinidad on the night of December 19, 2016. Her body was never found. Her kidnappers had demanded a $3million ransom for her release. The nine men had filed a malicious prosecution claim in May 2020 which the State did not defend, despite having entered an appearance. THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 5 - MARCH 2, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 4 [NEWS BRIEFS] Assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moise Dr Horace Chang, Minister of National Security Four people charged in connection with plot to kill Haitian president FLORIDA, CMC: FOUR MEN detained in Haiti in connection with the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in July 2021 were due to appear in a court here on Wednesday after they were transferred to the US to face criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in the July 7 killing of the Haitian leader. US authorities said that a criminal complaint charges dual HaitianAmerican citizens James Solages, 37; JosephVincent, 57; and Colombian citizen German Alejandro Rivera Garcia, 44, with conspiring to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States and providing material support and resources resulting in death, and conspiring to do so, knowing or intending that such support and resources would be used to prepare for or carry out the conspiracy to kill or kidnap. In addition, a separate criminal complaint charges dual HaitianAmerican citizen Christian Sanon, 54, with conspiring to smuggle goods from The United States and cause export information not to be filed, as well as with smuggling goods fromThe United States and providing unlawful export information. Solages, Vincent, Rivera and Sanon were scheduled to make their initial federal court appearances in the Southern District of Florida on Wednesday before US Magistrate Judge Alicia Otazo-Reyes. US law enforcement authorities have now charged seven individuals, including the four new defendants for their roles in the assassination plot. The other men charged are Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, 43; Rodolphe Jaar, 49; and Joseph Joel John, 51, who were arrested last year. Solages, Vincent and Rivera face up to life imprisonment if convicted. Sanon faces up to 20 years if convicted. TRINIDAD Prime Minister Rowley disturbed by multimillion-dollar compensation for former murder accused JAMAICA’S FOREIGN Trade Action Plan, which outlines general policy direction, implementation priorities and strategies, is to be reviewed. This was disclosed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, who said the private sector will be an“indispensable part”of this process, “mindful of the importance of partnerships in pursuing a transformational trade policy agenda”. “So even as we will explain to you (the private sector) more about how these arrangements can work, we need you to tell us of the opportunities that you believe can be seized, so that we can work through how we can help you achieve your goals,” she added. Senator Johnson Smith further advised that the Ministry will be seeking a“new and dynamic approach to the development of a regional trade policy”. This, the Minister said, within the context of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). She was speaking during Wednesday’s meeting of the Jamaica Trade Policy Advisory Group (JAMTRADE) at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in downtown Kingston. The meeting provided the framework for fostering a more comprehensive understanding of Jamaica’s current national trade policy landscape and approaches for implementation in the future. Meanwhile, Senator Johnson Smith said private-sector businesses involved in the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) have the opportunity to expand their markets and boost revenues. She informed that a major benefit of COTED is the processes in place, which allow the Ministry to work with private-sector organisations to“remove apparent or existing trade barriers and obstacles between Jamaica and the rest of the region”. “We can affirm [and] we have seen the results [that] where companies attend and seek to examine opportunities through these formal structures they make more money. They sell … [and] distribute more products, because there are structures that work, once we look beyond some of the barriers,” the Minister stated. Senator Johnson Smith indicated that several countries are providing trading opportunities for Jamaican businesses. Zones of Special Operations extended Jamaica’s foreign trade action plan to be reviewed Senator Kamina Johnson Smith. FILE
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