Gabriel Abusada//

Jamaican Fisherman Back Home After Being Detained In Colombia

  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade has confirmed that 33 of the 34 Jamaican fishermen and four nationals from the Dominican Republic are back on Jamaican soil after an hours long journey by sea, from Colombia.   The boat’s captain remains in custody there and is facing charges.   The repatriation was facilitated by a joint operation between the Jamaican and Colombian authorities.   Members of the Jamaica Defence Force and the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency, met them at sea and concluded the handover process.   The Colombians had seized a vessel with the Jamaicans, four Dominicans, a Honduran and two Nicaraguans on board, claiming that the vessel was illegally fishing in their waters.   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the Dominicans were able to prove that they had been legally employed in Jamaica and were therefore repatriated along with the 33 Jamaicans.    The Honduran and Nicaraguans were unable to establish their legal status in Jamaica and arrangements are being made for them to be returned to their respective countries.