Business and church leaders press Holness on Wheatley as Jamaica signs Guyana pacts

Pressure on Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness to address the position of Minister without Portfolio Dr. Andrew Wheatley sharpened on Friday, after the Integrity Commission recommended that the Cabinet member face criminal charges, including illicit enrichment.

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica said in a Thursday statement that the matter is of significant public interest and that legal processes must run their course, including the presumption of innocence. It nonetheless urged Dr. Holness and Dr. Wheatley to consider whether stepping aside until the case is resolved would better protect public confidence in governance.

The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce raised similar concerns about how long high-profile cases take to finish. President Emil Loobal said the chamber has recommended a dedicated division of the Supreme Court for corruption-related charges, warning that extended delays can weaken faith in Jamaica's accountability systems.

Bishop Dr. Alvin Bailey, advocacy representative of the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches, said the group is not condemning Dr. Wheatley but believes he should resign until the courts decide the matter. Bailey said the minister should act on his own sense of accountability rather than leave the Prime Minister to use authority to remove him.

In Georgetown, Jamaica and Guyana signed four agreements to deepen cooperation in agriculture, defence and security, financial services, and economic development. Prime Minister Holness said the accords are only an initial step in wider talks on energy, tourism, housing, education, and regional labour mobility. Guyana's President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali said both countries would pursue deeper collaboration across several sectors.

Venezuelan authorities continued search-and-rescue work after twin earthquakes above magnitude 7.0 struck Caracas. Vice Minister of Caribbean Affairs Raúl Liévano told CVM News that 188 deaths had been confirmed, hundreds remained trapped, and more than 1,500 people were injured, while international reports cited a higher toll. A state of emergency was declared. Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith offered condolences on Thursday and said Jamaica stands ready to support Venezuela.

The Senate passed amendments to the Jamaica Civil Aviation Act to strengthen safety oversight and compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. Opposition Senator Alan Bernard supported the reforms but called for stronger parliamentary oversight of ministerial powers and clearer funding for implementation.

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association said a new national beach access policy should balance public rights with managed access to address security and environmental concerns. Scotia Bank and the Jamaica Bar Association also signed a partnership aimed at financial services for legal professionals.