We need answers to the Cuba question

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The Jamaican Government insists that its decision to abstain, rather than vote in favour of ending the United States embargo on Cuba at the recent United Nations General Assembly, was entirely independent. Given Jamaica’s long history of supporting this resolution, however, many are understandably sceptical about the sudden reversal.

Whatever its motivation, Jamaica’s abstention signals acquiescence to the continued collective punishment of the Cuban people under the 66-year-old US embargo.

This non-vote was not entirely surprising. There have been warning signs ever since US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Jamaica.

The first came in January, when Jamaica refused to refuel a Cuban tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG), a fuel on which Cuba depends for electricity generation. Jamaica’s abrupt end to this energy cooperation has only compounded Cuba’s hardships. Relentless blackouts have made daily life miserable, stymied economic activity, crippled productivity, and put lives at risk, as hospitals depend heavily on electricity to perform life-saving procedures and operate critical equipment.

Then, in March, the Government announced the end of its longstanding medical cooperation with Cuba, effectively expelling Cuban healthcare workers. In the aftermath, numerous rural clinics, and even major hospitals, were left without key personnel. At the same time, Jamaica welcomed a US warship to Kingston Harbour and agreed to accept third-country nationals whom the United States deemed unfit to remain in that country.

Many argue that Jamaica, as a small state heavily dependent on remittances and tourism, must be pragmatic in its dealings with the United States. While this is true, sacrificing principle on the altar of pragmatism diminishes our proud diplomatic tradition of standing with the oppressed.

Senator Kamina Johnson Smith has said that Jamaica values its friendship with Cuba. Why, then, do we treat it as an enemy? By abstaining to vote in support of ending the embargo, even as other CARICOM nations remained steadfast, Jamaica effectively abandoned its closest Caribbean neighbour on the world stage.

The contradiction between the Government’s statements and its actions has created real confusion. The Government therefore owes the nation a full explanation about the rapid and dramatic policy shift towards Cuba and an answer to the question in many minds: Is Jamaica’s foreign policy being dictated by Washington?

MARIA MUTIDJO