Canada sends military aircraft to monitor “dire situation” in Haiti

The government of Canada on Sunday announced that it has deployed a military aircraft to monitor the “dire security situation” in Haiti given the continued deterioration in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member state

In a statement on Sunday, the Canadian government said in an effort to support the Haitian National Police, a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft has been deployed

The Canadian patrol aircraft will provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability to bolster efforts to establish and maintain peace and will remain in the region “for a number of days,” the Canadian government said

Since the 2021 assassination of then President Jovenel Moïse, Haitian gangs have expanded their territory and the violence has left much of the country off-limits to the government and led to routine gun battles with police

In October, the United Nations suggested a “rapid action force” be sent to Haiti to combat escalating violence from armed gangs whose turf battles have left hundreds dead and thousands displaced

While most countries have been wary of sending troops, the government of Jamaica has said it would be willing to participate, and El Salvador has offered “technical assistance”

Haitian authorities offer reward for arrest of gang leader

Haitian authorities are offering ten million Gourdes (One Gourde=US$0 006 cents) for information leading to the capture of Vitel “Homme” Innocent, the leader of the “Kraze Baryè” gang blamed for a number of killing and kidnappings in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country

The announcement came as the National Police of Haiti (PNH) launched “Operation Tornado 1” in Torcelle, aimed at dismantling the gang and the arrest of Innocent, who is also wanted by United States authorities for conspiracy to commit hostage taking and hostage taking, according to an indictment filed with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia

The Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ), in a notice published on Sunday, announced the ten million Gourde reward “to any citizen providing information to the police” resulting in the arrest of Innocent, who is considered to be “armed and dangerous”

The authorities said Innocent, who allegedly worked with the gang 400 Mawozo that kidnapped 17 Christian Missionaries in Haiti last year is wanted on kidnappings for ransom, rape, assassinations, and attempted assassinations as well as armed robbery charges

Last month, the United States Department of State's Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program announced it is offering a reward of up to one million US dollars for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Innocent

It said Innocent has ties to or may travel to the neighboring Dominican Republic and persons with information should contact any FBI office worldwide or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate

Meanwhile, the latest report issued by the Order of Human Rights Defenders on insecurity in Haiti, claims 64 people have been shot dead, including 18 police officers, during January

It said 52 people were killed in January

2022

Prime Minister Dr Ariel Henry, who came to office following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, has called for an international force to help deal with the situation in Haiti

Two Haitians charged with illegal entry into Jamaica

Jamaican police on Saturday reported that two Haitians have been arrested and charged with illegal entry, following their arrival into the country last month

According to police reports, Ronald Georges, 40, a carpenter and Jean Paul, 34, an artiste and construction worker, both of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, entered Jamaica on January 19

While being questioned by the police, it was revealed that they did not enter the island through any of the official ports and had no records of their entry

They were subsequently arrested and charged A court date is yet to be finalized

Early Warnings

Initiative fromA5 director of the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Elizabeth Riley, will also attend The leaders are expected to emphasize the importance of strengthening and coordinating early warning initiatives in the region as well as the need for joint leadership in the Caribbean to achieve coverage for all, especially for the most vulnerable They will also outline practical measures to ensure that EW4ALL is incorporated in disaster risk management strategies and to highlight the impact of various endeavors in the region

In the late 1960s, a new genre of music emerged from the working-class communities of Jamaica Dubbed reggae this music quickly spread across the island, and soon it was being heard all over the world But reggae wasn't just a new style of music; it was also an agent of change, promoting a message of equality, freedom, and self-reliance that resonated with people in Jamaica and beyond

One of the most significant ways reggae music impacted Jamaica was through its promotion of the Rastafarian movement Rastafarianism, which emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s, emphasizes the spiritual and social liberation of Black people, and calls for the repatriation of people of African descent to their ancestral homeland of Ethiopia Many of the early reggae artistes were Rastafarians themselves, and they used their music to spread the movement's message

Bob Marley, perhaps the most famous reggae artiste of all time, was a devout Rastafarian, and his music reflected his faith His song War was seen as a criticism of the political violence that was plaguing Jamaica at the time, while other songs like Get Up, Stand Up and African Postman were seen as calls for political and social change Marley's music not only spread the Rastafarian message, but also helped to bring it mainstream acceptance

Reggae music also helped to address economic issues in Jamaica Many reggae songs focused on the poverty and inequality that had long plagued the island and called for more equitable distribution of wealth and resources. Bob Marley's song Zimbabwe celebrated the land reform and liberation of the African country and was seen as an inspiration for Jamaica's own struggles against poverty and inequality

Reggae music also helped to promote racial equality and unity Many reggae songs celebrated the cultural and ethnic diversity of Jamaica and called for an end to discrimination and racism Bob Marley's song One Love is often seen as a call for unity and understanding between different racial and ethnic groups Other songs like Equal Rights and Black My Story also called for racial equality and justice

Reggae music was not just a voice for change in Jamaica, it also had a significant impact on the world stage Marley's international tours helped to bring reggae music to a global audience, and his message of peace and unity resonated with people around the world His music and message were especially popular among young people, and he became a symbol of resistance to oppression and injustice

In the 1980s, Marley's influence continued to spread, his music and message were present in the civil rights movement and in the fight against apartheid in South Africa His song War was adopted as an anthem by the antiapartheid movement, and his message of unity and equality was seen as a powerful force for change

In conclusion, reggae music played an important role as an agent of change in Jamaica, promoting the values of Rastafarianism, addressing political and social issues, economic inequality, and racial unity

The genre helped to shape the cultural and political landscape of the island, and its message continues to resonate with people around the world The music, message and legacy of Bob Marley and other reggae artistes continue to inspire people to fight for social justice and equality more.

Jamaica is known for its rich culture and vibrant music, and there is no shortage of reggae shows to attend on the island. Here is a list of some of the top shows to check out when visiting Jamaica:

Reggae Sumfest is promoted as the greatest reggae show on earth

Every year Montego Bay is flooded with patrons from Jamaica and the rest of the world excited to see a top reggae and dancehall line-up at the largest music festival in Jamaica and the Caribbean

The festival offers a unique blend of traditional reggae and contemporary dancehall music, making it a must-see for reggae fans This weeklong reggae festival that started in 1993 will be 30 this year

Superstars like Rihanna, Beyonce, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown and many other big names have graced the stage in p r e v i o u s y e a r s F o u n d e r s Summerfest Productions Limited sold the Reggae Sumfest Festival and trademark to Downsound Records in April 2016 The new owners of the festival made the brave decision to feature only Jamaican acts on the Sumfest stage and this was met with a massive crowd and rave reviews that year That tradition has continued since

The festival is kept outdoors, and you ' re encouraged to dress comfortably and bring a chair as it will go on till past sun rise

This annual event takes place in St Ann and features some of the biggest names in reggae music The show is known for its positive vibes and conscious lyrics, and attracts a diverse crowd of locals and tourists

Rebel Salute celebrated 29 years in 2023 and is another hugely popular reggae festival on the local lineup This festival was started by local act Tony Rebel and is held every January on or around his birthday

He is a Rastafarian and all the performing acts are usually of the