Jamaica and US to renegotiate security aspects of bilateral agreements

Jamaica and the United States have agreed to renegotiate the security aspects of  bilateral agreements to bolster their response to transnational organized crime.

The agreement was reached at the Sixth Annual Caribbean-United States Security Cooperation Dialogue in Washington this week.

National Security Minister Robert Montague met with senior officials at the event which was part of  the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative launched by U.S. President Barack Obama in 2009.

Some of  the officials were from the US State Department, the Department of  Homeland Security, the Bureau of  Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms as well as the Department of  Justice.

Montague updated the officials on Jamaica's crime situation, citing the struggle with illegal guns entering the country; lottery scamming and domestic violence.

He said 70-percent of  illegal guns entering the country originated from the US.    

Montague assured the US officials that Jamaica will continue to work to become the hub for maritime security operations in the region.

Both countries expressed a commitment to continue to collaborate on information sharing as well as partner on security initiatives and training.