Audrey Marks rejects deport pact claims as Kingston mayor reports inherited debt

Minister without Portfolio Audrey Marks has renewed her defence of the government's position on a disputed arrangement with the United States, rejecting claims that she proposed an agreement to bring third-country nationals facing deportation to Jamaica.

Speaking in an interview with Jamaica Information Service chief executive officer Giovani Dennis, Marks said United States policy on third-country nationals was not within her control and that she could not dictate Washington's programme. She described recent criticism as part of what she called an orchestrated misinformation campaign, saying bloggers and online commentators had wrongly portrayed her as seeking a deal to accept foreign criminals into Jamaica.

Marks said the proposal she put forward at a US conference in March was aimed at skilled labour cooperation, not deportations. With her embassy team, she suggested expanding Jamaica's seasonal worker intake from a cap of about 20,000 to roughly 200,000, arguing that the country already had an established legal framework for bringing workers into the labour market.

Opposition Senator Cleveland Tomlinson challenged that explanation on Sunday at a People's National Party divisional conference in Admiral Town, Kingston. He questioned how a conference focused on drug cartels and national security became the setting for a proposal on skilled migration, saying the minister's account cast doubt on the accuracy of the government's position.

At the same event, Kingston Mayor and Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation chairman Andrew Swaby said his administration inherited more than $400 million in outstanding bills from the previous term led by former Mayor Delroy Williams. Swaby said about $164 million remains unpaid, with some general bills dating to 2021 and retention bills going back further. He told supporters that clearing those obligations has limited the corporation's ability to repair roads at the pace residents expect.

In sports, Mikuel Marino came off the bench to score in injury time on Monday as Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 in a FIFA World Cup last-16 match in Dallas, repeating the result of their 2010 meeting at the same stage. Following the defeat, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez confirmed he will leave the role, saying the team needs a new voice for the future. Portugal had reached the round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Croatia and finished second in their group behind Colombia. Martinez has been in charge since the start of 2023, after six years leading Belgium, and had guided Portugal to the 2025 Nations League final.