Holness rejects US pressure claims as Jamaica reports PEP gains and secures climate grant

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has rejected claims that Jamaica was forced into a memorandum of understanding with the United States on the third country nationals programme, telling Cliff Hughes Online that no agreement was reached under duress and that operational details remain unfinished despite the signed MOU.

Under the arrangement, up to 25 undocumented migrants could arrive in Jamaica every two weeks while the International Organization for Migration supports their return home. Holness said a public announcement would follow once implementation is complete, and he challenged suggestions that arrivals could occur in secret. He also dismissed claims that former ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks launched the initiative, while noting she had a duty to advise on shifts in US policy.

Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon reported continued gains in this year’s Primary Exit Profile results, announced at Jamaica House on Monday. In mathematics, 69% of students reached proficiency or above, including 8% highly proficient and 61% proficient, against a 70% target. Language arts reached 72% proficient or higher, exceeding its 70% goal. Dixon credited specialist teaching models and support programmes introduced since 2023.

Holness said the government will audit state-owned land banks to tackle informal settlements, speaking at a titling ceremony for Akkywalk and Jacksons Town in St Andrew. Robert Montague has been appointed minister with responsibility for land titling and settlements. Declarations have already proceeded in St Elizabeth, St Catherine and Westmoreland.

Climate Change Minister Matthew Samuda said a US$2.1 million Green Climate Fund grant, secured through the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, will strengthen Jamaica’s access to climate finance as the country rebuilds from Hurricane Melissa, which caused damage estimated at nearly 57% of GDP. Jamaica is the first CARICOM state approved under the fund’s 2024 readiness strategy.

Economist Dr Paul Golding warned that artificial intelligence could put about 60,000 Jamaican jobs at risk, citing International Labour Organization methods. First Union Financial Company Limited launched a $1 billion employee side-hustle microloan revolving fund.

Several CARICOM territories, including St Lucia, Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago, are exploring a single regional visa. Former tourism minister Dominic Fedee said island-hopping could boost tourism but might reduce bed nights per destination.

In Grenada, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell told supporters at a four-year anniversary rally that consultations in July and August would shape the National Democratic Congress manifesto ahead of elections, without naming a poll date.

Reggae Boy Leon Bailey, honoured at Villa d’Aglio in St Ann on Saturday, reaffirmed his commitment to Jamaica since 2019 and called for improvements to benefit future players. In World Cup group play on Monday, Argentina beat Austria 2-0, Algeria defeated Jordan 2-1, France won 3-0 over Iraq, and Norway edged Senegal 3-2.