Letter of the Day | An embarrassment to the nation and Brand Jamaica

Jamaica’s decision to abstain from United Nations vote calling for an end to the United States’ economic blockade of Cuba represents a troubling departure from a position it had consistently supported for more than three decades. It raises serious questions about the credibility, consistency and independence of our foreign policy, and the Government owes Jamaicans a clear explanation.

On October 27, Parliament debated and passed a Government motion condemning the embargo. The following day, Jamaica abstained at the United Nations. While the Government has argued that the parliamentary motion did not dictate how Jamaica should vote, Parliament was debating the very issue on which a significant policy shift was apparently under consideration. Meaningful parliamentary accountability requires greater transparency and candour.

Full coverageJamaica Breaks With Decades of Support by Abstaining on Cuba Embargo Vote47 reports

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The Government’s justification, that the resolution did not adequately address Cuba’s domestic reforms, human rights concerns and humanitarian situation, also warrants scrutiny. These are separate issues. Jamaica can support human rights, democratic freedoms and institutional reform while opposing an economic blockade that affects an entire population. Voting against the embargo would not have signified approval of Cuba’s political system or every action of its Government.