Letter of the Day | Values blackout

THE EDITOR, Madam:

A power cut is always unwelcome, particularly in searing heat. I was understandably irritated when Friday’s outage occurred without warning, though I remained confident that electricity would eventually be restored.

In the darkness, however, my thoughts turned to the people of Cuba, who have endured months of prolonged and repeated blackouts amid severe economic hardship. The long-standing United States embargo has tightened over time, restricting Cuba’s access to critical resources, including fuel. The result is a deepening energy crisis, with ordinary citizens bearing the heaviest burden.

Regrettably, Jamaica has become one of America’s strongest allies in Cuba’s isolation. From the expulsion of Cuban medical personnel to the welcoming of a United States warship into our territorial waters—an act many Cubans may view as hostile—we have signalled clearly where our loyalties lie.

I have long embraced the values expressed in our national pledge: a commitment to justice and brotherhood. Perhaps naively, I believed these principles would also guide our national leadership. Instead, we appear increasingly willing to align with powerful nations whose policies contribute to the suffering of others.

For decades, Cuba has stood in solidarity with Jamaica, offering assistance in healthcare, education, and human development. Yet, at a time when Cuba faces profound challenges, we have chosen silence where there should be advocacy.

The true measure of a nation’s character is not how it treats the powerful, but how it stands by its friends in their hour of need. On this measure, Jamaica has fallen short. Still, it is my hope that we will one day fully embrace our professed values—not only when it is convenient, but when it matters most.

MARIA MUTIDJO