CUBA PIVOT

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has signalled a pivot in Jamaica’s diplomatic stance toward Cuba, calling for a “principled realism” that balances traditional regional solidarity with a demand for democratic reform and open-market transitions.

Holness also warned that the growing humanitarian crisis in the Spanish-speaking nation could develop into a regional problem, pointing to a possible immigration threat.

“Humanitarian suffering serves no one. Apart from our fraternal care and solidarity with the Cuban people, it must be clear that a prolonged crisis in Cuba will not remain confined to Cuba. It will affect migration, security, and economic stability across the Caribbean basin. It is, therefore, important that we carefully consider this matter and take collective action,” said Holness, while addressing the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom in St Kitts and Nevis.

ADDRESSED WITH CLARITY AND COURAGE

He said the situation in Cuba must be addressed with clarity and courage, noting that Cuba has, for decades, through its doctors and teachers, served the region.

“Its people are part of our shared history. But today, the Cuban people face severe economic hardship, energy shortages, and growing humanitarian strain. Jamaica is sensitive to the struggles of the Cuban people,” he said.

His comment comes even as the Trump administration intensified pressure on the Miguel Díaz-Canel regime, instituting an oil blockade aimed at crippling the island’s energy infrastructure.

The US has also threatened additional tariffs for countries that rally to the nation’s aid.

On Tuesday, Holness stopped short of calling for an end to the communist regime in the neighbouring country, declaring that Jamaica supports democracies.

“Let there be no doubt. Jamaica stands firmly for democracy, human rights, political accountability, and open-market based economies. We do not believe that long-term stability can exist where economic freedom is constrained and political participation is limited. Sustainable prosperity requires openness to ideas, to enterprise, to investment, and to the will of the people,” he said.

“This moment, therefore, calls not for rhetoric but for responsible statecraft even as we encourage support for humanitarian relief. Jamaica supports constructive dialogue between Cuba and the United States, aimed at de-escalation, reform, and stability. We believe there is space – perhaps more space now than in our past – for pragmatic engagement that protects the Cuban people from any further deterioration in their circumstances, and instead promotes national and regional prosperity,” he said.

Holness said that the geopolitical environment is shifting, and noted that it presents an opportunity “for a new chapter” in which CARICOM can play a constructive role, not as an ideological bloc, but as a community of democratic states offering cooperation, economic reform, and social development.

“This is not a moment for division in our community. It is a moment for maturity, for principled realism, and if we act wisely, for positive change in our hemisphere,” he said.

At the same time, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar asserted that the twin-island republic would not offer support to communist regimes.

“We will not support a dictatorship in Cuba or anywhere else. We will not support it. What we do, we support regular, free and fair democratic elections in a multi-party system where all citizens must have equality before the law.

“There must be rule of law. There must be majority rule and minority rights. We must have the separation of powers and the checks and balances. We must have accountability and transparency. We must have freedom of expression and association and for us in Trinidad and Tobago, we must have capitalism. We will not support dictatorship,” she said at the meeting.

kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com