Jamaica not safe? Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vacationed in Jamaica two years in a row
The Canadian government has issued travel warnings for the Bahamas and Jamaica, which they argue is due to an increase in violent crime. Canada updated advisories for both Caribbean countries on Monday, Jan. 29, advising travellers to exercise a high degree on the islands.
This advisory comes as a shock to many Jamaicans as the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau vacationed in Jamaica two years in a row. Trudeau chose Jamaica for his post-Christmas vacation, marking his second consecutive year visiting the island. Trudeau’s immediate family, including his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, from whom he has recently separated, accompanied him on the vacation from December 26, 2023, to January 4, 2024.
The Prime Minister and his family, according to news reports, lodged at the luxurious Prospect Estate resort, owned by family friend and businessman Peter Green. The average rates suggest that the stay for their vacation could have a value of approximately $84,000.
According to the National Post, the issue sparked a debate when the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued contradictory information on who made the payment for the accommodation. Initially, the statement from the PMO implied that the Prime Minister would be covering the costs for their accommodations. However, days later, they stated that Justin Trudeau was not paying for his accommodations. Finally, the PMO declared that Justin Trudeau stayed at the resort courtesy of his friends.
Although Trudeau’s office said the ethics commissioner had cleared the trip, Conservative MPs are demanding to know whether the commissioner was properly informed that Trudeau and his family were getting a stay at a luxury resort for free.
Let’s face it, the media paints a pretty bleak picture when it comes to safety in Jamaica. Despite the safety concerns, there are plenty of areas that can be enjoyed if you just use common sense, do your research, and take normal safety precautions. Many tourist decided to mix with the locals and even visited areas that are deemed unsafe with no problems.