Kamla invokes democracy to defend break with Cuba embargo stance

As the government moved to break its historical voting precedent in favour of ending a cold war-era US embargo on Cuba, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the country continues to support the Cuban people while aligning with what she said was a US-led push for democracy on the island.

Persad-Bissessar, who earlier this year referred to the Cuban government as a “dictatorial regime” repeated her reference to a Cuban "dictatorship" in a post to her Facebook page tonight.

Her statement followed the UN General Assembly (UNGA’s) adoption of the resolution to end the economic embargo imposed by the US against Cuba, which passed with 130 votes in favour. Trinidad and Tobago was one of 17 countries voting against.