Cuba vote: Disappointed but not surprised

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The People’s National Party Youth Organisation (PNPYO) is disappointed, but regrettably, not surprised at Jamaica’s abstention from the UN resolution calling for an end to the United States’ embargo against Cuba.

In October 2025, Minister of State Alando Terrelonge in his parliamentary contribution called for an end to the embargo, Cuba’s then ambassador to Jamaica, Fermín Quiñones was present in the gallery.

On October 27, Terrelonge again presented a parliamentary motion concerning Cuba, this time with Tania López Larroque, Cuba’s current ambassador to Jamaica, present in the public gallery. Yet, less than 24 hours later, Jamaica abstained from the United Nations resolution.

For decades, Cuba has stood with Jamaica through medical cooperation, scholarships, educational assistance, and technical support, strengthening our healthcare and education systems despite its own economic hardships. Yet, when Cuba needed our solidarity, Jamaica chose to abstain.

Equally troubling are the abstentions of Guyana, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s outright rejection of the resolution. These decisions represent a disturbing fracture in Caribbean solidarity.

The Caribbean must not allow the interests of powerful nations to dictate our principles. When geopolitical interests undermine regional unity, we weaken our collective voice and compromise the principles of sovereignty and self-determination.

PNPYO