Jamaica tops Caribbean peace index as St. Andrew water cuts and SPARK roads draw scrutiny

Jamaica has been named the most peaceful country in the Caribbean and the third most peaceful nation in North and Central America in the 2026 Global Peace Index, behind only Canada and Costa Rica. The ranking emerged less than a day before National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang told Parliament that murders are down 23% compared with the same period last year and that the country is on course for one of its safest years in modern history.

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Senator Aubyn Hill said the result signals stronger investor confidence and improved travel advisories that had long raised insurance costs for conventions and overseas visitors. He cited murder totals falling from 1,516 in 2022 to 674 in 2025, with fewer than 600 projected for 2026, and noted police strength has grown from about 8,000 officers to roughly 13,000 or 14,000. Hill credited sustained security spending under the Andrew Holness administration, including equipment, training and station upgrades.

Separately, the National Water Commission imposed regulation measures across the corporate area after inflows to the Hermitage Dam declined and storage fell to about 65% of capacity. Corporate Relations Manager Delano Williams said seasonal dry spells and rising demand continue to strain Kingston and St. Andrew's roughly 1.2 billion gallons of storage. He said a non-revenue water programme cut losses in the parish from near 70% to about 38%, through pipe repairs, pressure management and enforcement, while studies are underway to expand Hermitage and the Mona Reservoir. Affected upland communities are scheduled for overnight supply from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with downstream areas served from 6:00 a.m.; northeast parishes including St. Mary, Portland and St. Ann are also on rotating schedules.

The government launched phase two of the SPARK Main Roads Programme, a $25 billion effort targeting 37 major roadways, including Washington Boulevard and Don Robin Avenue in Kingston. Opposition deputy spokesperson on roads and works Dwayne Vaz criticised delays in phase one, questioned the use of a single main contractor and noted no start date was announced. De facto Works Minister Robert Morgan said many projects are still being designed but should begin this year and finish next year.

Opposition spokesman on youth and human rights Isaac Buchanan also faced backlash after remarks on the podcast The Perspective with Perry Cummings Jr., in which he described conflict among women parliamentarians as embarrassing "girl fighting" and referenced the view that women may not be ready for Parliament. Buchanan said he was citing others' thinking, not stating his own belief, and refused to withdraw the comments. Political analyst Dr. Nadine Spence said the language reflected patriarchal framing that undermines women's political legitimacy.