21 of 40 Haitian refugees captured after boat arrives in Portland
PORTLAND, Jamaica — Police have captured 21 of 40 Haitians who arrived in an 18-foot multi-coloured canoe at Kensington, Portland on Monday.
The Haitians reportedly arrived around 1:00 pm and escaped into the nearby community. However, residents alerted the authorities whose quick actions led to the capture of 18 men and three women.
The search continues for the remaining 19 who are at large.
This marks the latest in a growing number of Haitians illegally arriving onto Jamaican shores by boat in the area, amid deepening security and political crises in Haiti that have resulted in hundreds of thousands of citizens fleeing the French-speaking country.
READ: Two killed in Portland; parish records three murders since start of 2025
The police are appealing to residents not to harbour the Haitians and to alert them if seen.
— Everard Owen
