JAMAICA: RISING POLITICAL VIOLENCE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06805644
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: July 25, 2019
• Case Number: F-2017-01652
• Publication Date: November 9, 1984

Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 C06805644
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Articles have been coordinated as appropriate with other offices within CIA.
Comments and queries regarding this publication may be directed to the Chief,
Production Staff Office of African and Latin American Analysis
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Jamaica Rising Political Violence On
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A decision by the Worker's Party of Jamaica, a small Communist Party. to arm its
activists in Kingston has caused increased clashes since June between leftist
gunmen, armed gangs of the ruling party, and police,
Worker's Party chief Trevor Munroe wants to goad the
government into declaring a state of emergency to increase pressure for new
elections, member of the main
opposition party is directing small, newly created paramilitary groups to commit
violence and is coordinating his activities with Munroe
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Approved for Release: 2019/07/10 C06805644
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The paramilitary groups are more organized and better armed than the usual
street gangs that have plagued Jamaica in recent years. Nevertheless, Prime
Minister Seaga. whose popularity is badly eroded by Jamaica's economic
difficulties, is unlikely to call new elections. Instead, he probably will crack down
soon to curb the violence. The timing, so close to the start of the crucial tourist
season in December, could badly hurt foreign exchange earnings and further deter
investors.
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