Former CARICOM leaders urge repeal of US exec order targeting Cuba’s fuel supply

WESTERN BUREAU:

Caribbean former heads of government have issued an extraordinary joint appeal condemning what they describe as a “catastrophic fuel blockade” against Cuba, warning that the island’s 11 million citizens face severe humanitarian consequences.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the former leaders condemned a January 29 United States executive order targeting nations that supply oil to Cuba, arguing that the measure amounts to economic warfare and risks deepening an already fragile humanitarian situation.

They argue that the measure constitutes “economic warfare” and risks triggering unprecedented suffering across the island.

Among those endorsing the statement are Jamaica’s Bruce Golding and PJ Patterson, St Lucia’s Kenny Anthony, Barbados’ Freundel Stuart, Guyana’s Donald Ramotar, Trinidad and Tobago’s Keith Rowley, Grenada’s Tillman Thomas, and Dominica’s Edison James.

The signatories described themselves as “perturbed” by what they termed a deepening humanitarian crisis, asserting that restricting fuel supplies will inevitably affect food production, medical services, education, and basic livelihood systems in Cuba.

While the statement did not provide full technical details of the January 29, 2026, Executive Order, the former leaders characterised it as targeting countries that supply oil to Cuba by imposing punitive discriminatory tariffs.

They argue that the measure effectively creates a fuel blockade. The leaders warned that such a move amounts to “cruel punishment” of civilians and undermines international law.

The statement invokes a pivotal moment in Caribbean diplomatic history: December 8, 1972.

On that date, the prime ministers of Guyana (Forbes Burnham), Jamaica (Michael Manley), Barbados (Errol Barrow), and Trinidad and Tobago (Eric Williams) took the bold decision to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba despite hemispheric pressure to isolate the island.

That decision became a defining moment in Caribbean foreign policy independence and regional sovereignty.

For more than five decades, Cuba has maintained medical brigades, scholarship programmes, disaster-relief assistance, and sports cooperation across the Caribbean, support the former leaders describe as freely given.

The former heads of government noted that for decades, the United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted to condemn the US embargo against Cuba.

They referenced findings by UN human rights experts who have characterised coercive economic measures as violations of international law.

The signatories framed the current dispute not merely as a bilateral issue between Cuba and the United States but as a question of sovereign equality, international law, regional solidarity, and humanitarian protection.

They declared: “We will never accept the doctrine that might makes right.”

The former leaders urged immediate repeal of the executive order, international humanitarian assistance for Cuba, and CARICOM solidarity in rendering tangible material support.

They emphasised that the Caribbean remained committed to its designation as a “Zone of Peace” and to the principle that disputes must be resolved through dialogue rather than economic coercion.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com