The US State Department’s Consular Affairs Bureau has issued a travel advisory for Jamaica, but Ambassador Audrey Marks of Jamaica wants it revoked or modified because she believes it does not provide a complete picture of the island’s circumstances.
Jamaica is categorized as Level 3 by the US State Department. Additionally, Marks has urged all parties involved—particularly those living abroad—to convince the State Department to update the recommendation.
- Advertisement -
Amb. Mark argues that since Jamaica is a democratic society without armed conflicts with its neighbors and social turmoil, it does not encounter other crimes prevalent in countries labeled as Level 3.
She said that there haven’t been any bombs, terrorist attacks, international piracy, military takeovers, or sporadic mass shootings in Jamaica.
Due to the high prevalence of crime and inadequate healthcare in Jamaica, the travel alert advises US residents to think twice before visiting the nation.
The travel alert, according to Marks, uses exceptionally hostile language. He also pointed out that a prolonged media campaign in the US and other foreign media over the last week may have caused significant and unprecedented harm to the Jamaican economy.
On her social media accounts, she recently made a statement, “Since the issuance of the travel advisory and its coverage by national and international media outlets, there is an impression that there is an outbreak of violence in Jamaica. As a result, there has been a spike in visitor cancellations that has never been experienced before, particularly group bookings such as business, government, students, and church conferences where travel insurance has either increased or not been made available because of the issuance of this travel advisory.”
According to her, there is no truth to the notion that crime has grown in Jamaica.
According to Marks, the travel advice may seriously hurt Jamaica’s tourism sector, which is one of the largest and most crucial on the island.
“Tourism contributes 30 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 50 percent of foreign exchange earnings (US$4 billion), and employs 20 percent of the country’s workforce (350,000)” she revealed.
The Jamaican government has officially informed the US government of its stance, according to Marks, and it vehemently disagrees with the travel alert, which she claims distorts the realities in Jamaica.
The US Ambassador expressed the severity of this matter that would affect the nation’s economy and stakeholders, “The potential negative impact of the travel advisory on Jamaica’s economy is extensive and requires all stakeholders to participate in the process of persuading the US State Department to revise ‘this punitive action’.”
She attempted to provide the facts and argued that the advisory’s assessment of crime and medical treatment in Jamaica is untrue.
According to Marks, major crimes committed in Jamaica against visitors are quite uncommon.
She stated that the statistics really indicate that American visitors to Jamaica are safer than those visiting several US locations.
She emphasized that, despite the fact that more than three million Americans traveled to Jamaica in 2023, there had only been five killings—and sadly, those victims were Jamaican Americans who had not been in resort areas.
Of the five people slain, two were connected to gangs, two were robberies, and one was interpersonal strife, according to her.
According to Marks, crime in Jamaica reached its lowest point in 22 years last year.
“The government continues to take all efforts to address crime in Jamaica,” she remarked.
She noted that although Jamaica’s healthcare system is underfunded compared to many poor nations, it nevertheless meets international standards and is known for its skilled medical professionals.
She mentioned that many individuals from other islands who have serious and specialized medical conditions are frequently transported to Jamaica for medical treatment.
