Minister Sean Sobers Defends T&T’s Vote Against UN Resolution On Cuba

Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers is defending Trinidad and Tobago’s decision to break from its longstanding position on the United Nations resolution calling for an end to the United States embargo against Cuba, citing concerns over the island’s political system and democratic freedoms.

Speaking in the House of Representatives on Friday, he said T&T’s recent decision on Cuba reflects the Government’s call for political change on the island, a position first articulated by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at a CARICOM Heads of Government meeting earlier this year.

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“Our vote was not against the Cuban people. Our vote, rather, was for the Cuban people, and our position on this matter was clearly telegraphed by the Honourable Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Senior Counsel, MP, when she had the courage to categorically call for change in Cuba during her address at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in St Kitts and Nevis in February of this year.”