By MIKE MELIA
Associated Press Writer
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Caribbean islands battling drug-fueled crime had one of their bloodiest years on record in 2009, with Jamaica, the Bahamas and Puerto Rico hitting or coming close to all-time highs for homicides.
The violence reflects the drug trade’s deep entrenchment in the region, with high murder rates becoming a fact of life at tourist havens that traffickers use as transit points for South American drugs bound for Europe and the United States.
In countries including the Bahamas, which set a record with more than 82 slayings, officials say they are contending with turf battles between rival drug gangs and an increased willingness to resort to violence.