Who is behind Jamaica's mayhem?

The Editor, Sir:

I have read and watched with interest the developments in Jamaica since the Christopher 'Dudus' Coke extradition issue has come to the forefront. And, I must say how interesting it is when one man must take the fall for the ills of many.

Yes, I say, many because, even though the spotlight is on Dudus, the real problem facing Jamaica is not Dudus; it is corruption in all levels of government. Dudus is just a product of the ongoing corruption that has infected Jamaican politics and society over the years.

Lest we forget, many members of parliament, in an effort to maintain power, have supported dons in garrison constituencies. And these events today are just a product of those actions. What is happening now, with the signing of the extradition order and the effort to arrest Dudus, is seemingly just a facade to save face and to appease the US State Department, which has stepped up pressure on the Jamaican government.

Let's ask the question, "what would have happened if there were no extradition request from the United States?", and "what will happen next?" Would the garrisons remain? Or rather, "will they remain when this is all over and Dudus is gone?"

It is time to hold members of parliament accountable for ills in their constituencies. Dudus has allegedly broken the law, but the politicians have been living above the law since independence.

Shame on them

They have allowed the problems of crime and violence to fester over the years. They have even at times 'tied' the hands of law-enforcement officials, only allowing them to act when it's convenient and when the persons involved lack political clout, or when they become expendable. Shame on them all!

I sympathise with the people of Tivoli Gardens and the surrounding environs, who are at the moment caught the middle of this. And I wonder if these people are now being sacrificed for the mess created by corrupt politicians; mess which must now be swept up to save face in the international community and to appease Uncle Sam.

I am, etc.,

DISGUSTED

New York, USA