Daryl Vaz
Daryl Vaz | |
|---|---|
.jpg?lang=en) | |
| Minister of Science Energy, Telecommunications and Transport | |
| Assumed office September 13, 2020 | |
| Monarchs | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Preceded by | Fayval Williams |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 15, 1958 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Douglas Vaz Father |
| Occupation | Politician, Businessman |
Daryl Wesley Phillip Vaz is a Jamaican politician who is the Labour MP for Portland Western.[1][2] He was the Minister of Information and Telecommunications in Jamaica from March 2009 to January 2016. His party lost the election in 2011 and Vaz served as opposition spokesman on Telecommunications. Vaz is currently Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, with responsibility for land, environment, climate change and investments, since the Jamaica Labour Party returned to government in March 2016. He also serves as Member of Parliament for the constituency of Portland Parish Western Division.[3][4]
Early life
[edit]He was born in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica to Douglas and Sonia Vaz.[5] His father is a former president of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association and former Minister of Industry and Commerce.[6]
Personal life
[edit]Vaz's wife Ann-Marie Vaz is MP for Portland Eastern.[7]
Controversy
[edit]Tainted Money Scandal
[edit]The Tainted Money Scandal involving Daryl Vaz and Edward Seaga emerged in 2003, raising concerns about campaign financing within the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). The controversy began when Edward Seaga, then JLP leader, questioned the source of funds used in James Robertson’s campaign for Deputy Leader of the JLP’s Area Council 2, which was managed by Daryl Vaz. Seaga publicly suggested that “tainted money”—potentially linked to illicit sources—had been used to finance the campaign, prompting an investigation by Police Commissioner Francis Forbes.[8]
Seaga’s concerns led to a formal inquiry, with Vaz writing a letter to the police commissioner denying any knowledge of questionable funds. The controversy escalated when Vaz and Robertson’s financial team challenged Seaga to provide evidence or retract his claims, even hinting at possible legal action for defamation.[9] The scandal highlighted broader concerns about transparency in political donations, as Jamaica lacked strict regulations on campaign financing at the time.[10]
Politically, the scandal exposed internal divisions within the JLP, particularly between Seaga and Douglas Vaz, Daryl’s father, who had clashed with Seaga in the 1980s. It also fueled discussions about public financing for political campaigns, with Seaga proposing talks with Prime Minister P.J. Patterson to explore a state-funded model that would reduce reliance on private donors.[11] While no legal consequences followed, the controversy reinforced public skepticism about the influence of money in Jamaican politics and contributed to ongoing debates about campaign finance reform
Dual Citizenship
[edit]Daryl Vaz engendered some controversy over his dual United States/Jamaican nationality. His mother, Sonia, was born in Puerto Rico and thus is a United States citizen by birth, albeit also a Jamaican citizen, currently resident in Canada. In 2008 or 2009 he renounced his United States citizenship in order to remain active in Jamaican politics.[12]
Police Bribery
[edit]Vaz was charged with corruption after an investigation into a traffic violation and bribery charge involving a close personal friend. Vaz's friend Bruce Bicknell was ticketed on 9 April 2012, in a traffic offence and allegedly presented the police officer with JA$2000 along with vehicle documents.[13] It is alleged that Mr. Vaz told the police sergeant in the case that he would be promoted if he gave Bicknell a chance. Vaz stepped down from his shadow minister post for the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), as a result of the corruption charges.[14]
US Visa Annotation
[edit]In 2021, Darl Vaz was reissued a USA Visa after it was cancelled - that US Visa had an annotation that reads: "212(SMALL D) (3) (A) WAIVER of 212 (A) (2C) (1).". Which according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services refers to a visitor who the consular officer or the US attorney general knows or has reason to believe is or has been an illicit trafficker in any controlled substance or in any listed chemical or is or has been a knowing aider, abettor, assister, conspirator, or colluder with others in the illicit trafficking in any such controlled or listed substance or chemical, or endeavoured to do so.[15][16]
References
[edit]- ^ Virtue, Erica (10 March 2009). "Vaz shows proof he no longer hold U.S. citizenship". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ^ "Members of Parliament" (PDF). Jamaica Information Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ "UPDATE: Holness names Shadow Cabinet". go-jamaica.com. 19 January 2012.
- ^ "Ministers and Ministries" (PDF). Jamaica Information Service. November 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ^ "Jamaica Observer: Daryl Vaz - Newsmaker". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ "Jamaica Manufacturers Association Ltd. - Past Presidents". Jma.com.jm. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
- ^ "Daryl, Ann-Marie Vaz double-team Portland". jamaica-gleaner.com. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ https://old.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20031122/news/news1.html
- ^ https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2003/11/13/put-up-or-shut-up/
- ^ https://old.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20031122/news/news1.html
- ^ https://old.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20031122/news/news1.html
- ^ "Daryl Vaz renounces United States citizenship". Sknvotelabour.com.
- ^ "Police Federation defends SGT Llewellyn - Latest News - JamaicaObserver.com". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ "Vaz steps aside - Politician, senior cop to face court Sep 5". Jamaica Observer.
- ^ "Chapter 4 - INA 212(d)(3) Waivers | USCIS". 20 October 2021.
- ^ "Vaz gets back US visitor's visa with rare waiver". 24 September 2021.
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- Living people
- Government ministers of Jamaica
- Jamaican people of Puerto Rican descent
- Members of the House of Representatives of Jamaica
- People from Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica
- Former United States citizens
- Puerto Rican people of Jamaican descent
- People from Portland Parish
- Members of the 14th Parliament of Jamaica
- Jamaican politician stubs