Debate on U.S. interventions in the region dominated the 4-day Caricom summit. This was whilst military strikes against suspected narcotic boats were sustained.
The Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, stated at the Caricom summit that he supports constructive dialogue between Cuba and the U.S., aiming for de-escalation.
U.S. interventions dominated speeches at the Caricom summit at St. Kitts & Nevis. Leaders of the Caribbean and the Americas met on Tuesday, 24 February. This was amidst deadly military strikes against suspected narcotic boats, besides a crude oil blockage in Cuba.
At the opening ceremony of the 4-day Caricom Summit in St. Kitts & Nevis, leaders of the regional bloc called for strategic collaboration. It was to deal with the impact of recent U.S. policies.
The Jamaican prime minister and the outgoing Caricom chair, Andrew Holness, asserted that he supports constructive dialogue between Cuba and the U.S. This should be aimed at de-escalation, reform, and stability. Holness said that we must address the situation in Cuba with clarity & courage. He went on to add that Cuba is our Caribbean neighbor. Cuba’s physicians and teachers have served across our region, he said.
Holness believed that Cubans are facing severe economic hardship, energy shortages, and growing humanitarian strain. This could have consequences across the wider region.
Holiness emphasized that a prolonged Cuban crisis will extend beyond Cuba. He opined that it will affect migration, security, and economic stability across the Caribbean basin.
On Monday, 23 February, Cuba’s UN resident coordinator, Francisco Pichon, told AP that the U.S. crude oil embargo is now preventing aid from accessing those still struggling to recover from Hurricane Melissa, which struck eastern Cuba in late October ’25 as a category 3 storm.
Holeness also mentioned that the energy blockade and fuel shortages affect the entire logistics chain involved in being able to work in Cuba at this period, anywhere in the country.
