To Americans, what is happening in Jamaica may be incomprehensible. I mean – it seems pretty rational that the Police would act to shut down gangs. But this is Jamaica – and what may seem to be one thing on the surface is quite another underneath.
Since the 70’s street gangs have operated closely with Political Parties. Or even the role of the US Government in the fray. In 1984, this led to a virtual Civil War on the streets in the same Kingston neighborhood which is the power base for drug kingpin “Dudus”. 800 people were killed.
What no one wants to talk much about today, is the relationship between Dudus’ gang, and the ruling Party.
As a historical lesson in how Jamaica got to the situation today – this video from 1984 examines the relationships between the drug gangs…
And the political parties.
Current reports vary from 45 to 74 killed so far. It is unclear how many – if any of the dead are gang members. The Jamaican Army has moved in, and gang members have set up snipers even in downtown Kingston – bringing commerce to a complete halt.
Btx3's Blog 
Corve
May 27, 2010 at 7:54 PM
Jamaica is a failed state.
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btx3
May 27, 2010 at 7:55 PM
Compared to where?
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nanakwame
May 28, 2010 at 8:58 AM
Jamaica has been a poor ran state for a very long time. The way they got rid of Manley was to create gangs; this is why they eventually made an agreement with the NY City Police. For they came to NY got their street training and went back and kicked the Jamaican Police in the ass. The drive and independent pride was gutted out of Jamaica, for one too close to Cuba. This was bound to come, let us be for real here. As one dub poet stated Jamaica killed all its prophets. Now as I see it, it got so bad they must now bring back Kingston to the 21 Century. It will not be easy at tal. The home of my grandfather’s parents broke my heart long ago, and we can not just blame the Yankees
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nanakwame
May 28, 2010 at 9:06 AM
In that sense it is a failed state. The other one is DR, who also signed an agreement with the NY City Police, most other nations refused to do that. These two islands including Haiti is a case study for independent thinking people. Most of the brains are here or in South America. Again being an Afro-Carib, I can not tell you the hurt, of once an island with such great gifts
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