August 24, 2026
Opposition writes to National Security Minister requesting full briefing on status of forces agreement between Jamaica and the United States
Written byNatalie Campbell
The Opposition has written to Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr Horace Chang, requesting a full briefing on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the governments of Jamaica and the United States for security cooperation.
The National Security Ministry announced last week that the agreement had been signed, stating that it builds on the already strong bilateral security partnership between the countries.
Status of Forces Agreements establish and formalize the terms under which members of one country’s armed forces may be temporarily present in another country for mutually agreed activities including training exercises and joint operations.
In a statement today, Spokesperson on National Security, Fitz Jackson, says the Opposition looks forward to the requested briefing at the earliest possible opportunity.
The Opposition says it acknowledges that an agreement of this nature involves important national security considerations and believes the implications for Jamaica, as well as the safeguards in place to protect the country’s interests, should be clearly understood.
The Opposition states that its seeking, through the briefing, to ascertain the key provisions of the agreement, the safeguards established to protect Jamaica’s national interests and security, and other important factors arising from the agreement.
Mr Jackson says the Opposition will observe the customary parliamentary confidentiality applicable to matters of a sensitive security nature.
He adds that given the reported execution of this agreement, it is important that the Opposition is properly briefed on its provisions and the safeguards that have been established to protect Jamaica’s interests.
The National Security Ministry says the SOFA agreement is a message to the criminal organizations in the region, that the United States Armed Forces and the Jamaica Defence Force are committed to deepening and expanding their cooperation including in their efforts to fight criminal organizations and narco-terrorists who traffic guns, drugs, and people.
