The Most Notorious Jamaican Gangsters
Podcast: History of the Caribbeans | Exploring Resilience and CulturePublished On: Tue Dec 09 2025
Description: This story explores one of the most turbulent and defining eras in Jamaica’s modern history, when politics and street power became inseparable. As the nation fought for stability after independence, rival political parties began recruiting young men from Kingston’s most struggling communities, arming them and turning them into organized posses. These groups were not simple neighborhood gangs. They became street armies—mobilized during elections, used to secure votes, intimidate rivals, and enforce territorial control. Over time, the posses evolved beyond politics, shaping the landscape of violence, community loyalty, and survival in the inner city. The story captures the tension, the desperation, and the high-stakes power struggles that transformed Kingston into a battleground where political ambition and street muscle collided.
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