Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica: Dr. Horace Chang (Since 2020)

Dr. Horace Chang has served as Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica since March 2020. He concurrently holds the portfolio of Minister of National Security and serves as General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Profile

• Background: Medical doctor (UWI Mona), former lecturer in pharmacology
• Political career: MP for North West St. Catherine since 1997; held multiple ministries (Water, Housing, Health, Security)
• Key focus: Crime reduction, police reform, border security, social intervention programs

Role of Deputy PM in Jamaica

• Deputizes for PM (Andrew Holness) in Parliament and official functions
• Chairs Cabinet committees (often Security, Economic Development)
• No fixed constitutional powers — role defined by PM's delegation
• Typically held by senior party figure to signal unity/succession

Recent Context

Chang's tenure has focused on states of emergency (SOEs) in high-crime parishes, JCF restructuring (new divisions, technology, accountability), and Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) — targeted social + security interventions.

As JLP General Secretary, he also manages party organization — making him a central figure in both government and party machinery.