United States, Jamaica and Kingpin Dudus

Supporters of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke courtesy AP
It is no longer news that a section of Kingston, the capital of Jamaica is in a gun battle between the police, soldiers and the dreaded Shower Posse gang. According to Reuters the death toll has reached nearly 50 with over 500 people under arrest.
The affiliation of gangs are trying to stop the security forces from capturing the most wanted fugitive in the United States of America and alleged drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke whom the Jamaican government want to extradite to the United States on 'drug and gun charges'.

The father of Dudus, Lester Lloyd Coke aka Jim Brown was the former leader of the Shower Posse until he died in a prison fire before he could be extradited to the US on similar charges in 1992. The mafia would rather fight to the last man standing than handover Dudus to the authorities. The government declared a state of emergency in downtown Kingston last Sunday and it has ‘paralysed’ various businesses.

Allegation against the Prime Minister
Some political analysts *alleged that the gangs were on Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s payroll three years ago because he used them to "intimidate" the election which brought him into power but the government has denied it by saying that all Golding had in common with the Coke family was the Labour party and the district they are from.

To make the matter worse, all political parties in Jamaica are presently supported by gangs. The BBC asked Jamaica's High Commissioner in London, Anthony Smith Johnson why Dudus had not been extradited since last year or 9 months ago and he said they had to follow the procedure for extradition. He told the BBC that, "There is a bilateral treaty between the United States and Jamaica which determines how these matters are dealt with."

Effect of gun battle on tourism
It was surprising that Mr Golding was more interested in the effect that negative media coverage would have on Jamaica’s tourism industry, which pumps in a high annual revenue. Dudus was suspected to be hiding in Tivoli Gardens which was the venue of the gun duel although tourist sites were reported to be over 100 miles away from Kingston.
The masses see Dudus as a messiah because he behaves like "Robin Hood" by helping them one way or the other. They seem to be more loyal to Dudus than the government. If the Jamaican government really wanted to capture Dudus would it have announced his warrant of arrest? The announcement led to the beginning of the gun battle and a burnt police station.

The only other way for Mr Golding to restore calm without Mr Coke’s consent is by legal acrobatics. The courts will hear a challenge to the extradition will be heard on May 31st. Before acceding to the request, the prime minister had contended that the wiretapping evidence on which it was based was illegal. Peter Phillips, a leading opposition member, said last Thursday that Mr Golding’s about-face could “by chance or design” undermine the legal case for sending Mr Coke to America—thus letting the prime minister off the hook.
———–The Economist

*Jamaica stand-off highlights links between ruling party and drug
Dudus: Christopher Coke Captured in Jamaica
Jamaican alleged drug lord 'Dudus' extradited to US
Lightbourne Biased In Handling 'Dudus' Extradition Case – KD

Soldiers ready to face demonstrators aka 'Dudus' supporters: photo by Mark Brown/EPA