PM Andrew Holness was right to take a humanitarian and neighbourly approach on Cuba
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness addressed CARICOM leaders last week, which was probably the most important address made on the region in decades.
Maximum respect goes out to Prime Minister Holness, and the people of the region would do well to heed his words.
The world is in turmoil. There is a major war in Europe, the crippling of regimes in the Caribbean, military strikes in Africa, and what looks like the onset of World War III in the Middle East. America is the true hegemon that bestrides the world and it has evoked fear across the four corners of the earth. It has made it be known that its might cannot be contested.
The countries of the Caribbean are small, and the region has no economic or military power. For hundreds of years, the nations of the hemisphere served as vassal states, former colonies that were given freedom.
The anxiety and trepidation being felt across CARICOM is understandable. Nobody wants to run afoul of the supreme power to the north; no government wants to see its people crushed into submission.
But the best countries are principled ones that abide by a code, that don’t simply manifest destiny but rather the best of humanity.
Prime Minister Holness was not instigating agitation or calling on CARICOM countries to resist. He appealed to the people of the region’s humanity, their sense of neighbourliness, look out for their brothers and sisters.
Unlike another Prime Minister, he did not advocate for abandoning a brother because they see things differently and adopt a different form of governance. What he essentially said was that in times of need, in times of crisis, in times when people are suffering and destitute, we lend a helping hand, we look to the better part of ourselves.
This nobility is something that all people of the Caribbean should aspire to. At some point, we all need a helping hand; we all need assistance. This thinking should prevail across the world and would go a long way in reducing military conflicts between nations. Death and destruction do not elevate the human spirit, it does not make us better as an intelligent, enlightened species.
If others across the world cannot see this, then we in the Caribbean must.
This is what Prime Minister Andrew Holness said at the CARICOM Summit in St Kitts and it is one of the most important speeches ever made about the Caribbean region and solidarity among its people.
“Friends, we must address the situation in Cuba with clarity and courage. Cuba is our Caribbean neighbour. Its doctors and teachers have served across our region. Its people are part of our shared history. But today the Cuban people face severe economic hardship, energy shortages, and growing humanitarian strain.
“Jamaica is sensitive to the struggles of the Cuban people. Humanitarian suffering serves no one. Apart from our fraternal care and solidarity with the Cuban people, it must be clear that a prolonged crisis in Cuba will not remain confined to Cuba. It will affect migration, security, and economic stability across the Caribbean basin. It is therefore important that we carefully consider this matter and take collective action.
“Let there be no doubt, Jamaica stands firmly for democracy, human rights, political accountability, and open market-based economies. We do not believe that long-term stability can exist where economic freedom is constrained and political participation is limited. Sustainable prosperity requires openness to ideas, to enterprise, to investment, and to the will of the people. This moment, therefore, calls not for rhetoric, but for responsible statecraft even as we encourage support for humanitarian relief.
“Jamaica supports constructive dialogue between Cuba and the United States aimed at de-escalation, reform, and stability. We believe there is space, perhaps more space now than in years past, for pragmatic engagement that protects the Cuban people from any further deterioration in their circumstances, and instead promotes national and regional prosperity.”
CARICOM leaders such as Forbes Burnham, Eric Williams, Errol Barrow and Michael Manley have been spoken about in referential tones, a pantheon of great Caribbean leaders who have been immortalised.
Holness’s address sees him joining them.
What he in effect said comes from Christian canon: love thy neighbour, be an agent of good, don’t turn a blind eye to the misery of your brothers and sisters.
This mindset of magnanimity is one we as Caribbean people must have no matter the challenges and threats we face; this is what differentiates us as a people. This is what it means: “ From many, one people.”
Cuba, despite its woes and privations, has been good to Jamaica and Prime Minister acknowledged that. Gratitude forms the milk of human kindness. Never forgot those that are good to you. It’s something we tell our children, it’s something we should all live by.
This demonstrated the character of Andrew Holness and the nature of the man as opposed to those who would impose chaos on the world then, when it suits them, adhere to Christian doctrines. Crushing a people’s dignity and spirit takes a particular darkness; one has to be one hell of a manovolent golem.
We do not abandon our neighbour in their time of need, and it should matter not what religion or type of politics they subscribe to.
Prime Minister Holness went on after his speech to talk about CARICOM countries coming to Jamaica’s aid after the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. Despite many of these countries having meagre resources and managing faltering economies, they still felt compelled to help Jamaica and its Prime Minister was very appreciative.
The essence of CARICOM is what binds us as a region. What are we all about? What beliefs and standards do we hold? What value do we place on our humanity?
Proximity cannot be the overarching factor that makes us a collective body.
Let’s be clear, at this time our people are not wanted in the United States. The current administration would prefer that we remain in the Caribbean. For too long migration has been integral to how we in the region see ourselves. You can never truly thrive in a country that doesn’t want you.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has talked about how he never felt compelled to migrate to better his life. He built his career and family in Jamaica and ascended to the highest position. He was educated in Jamaica.
He is a fine example of what a Caribbean leader forged in the country of their birth can be. His outlook has not been embossed by experiences from outside of Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness did not castigate or fulminate against the U.S. He said that there should be constructive dialogue between the U.S. and Cuba and their plight should be seen in a humanitarian context. He is calling for a deescalation of tensions. Let’s put the guns down and talk and reason.
For that he was threatened and the welfare of his country placed in jeopardy.
Reacting to PM Holness’ brilliant address, US Congressman Carlos Gimenez blasted: “I harshly condemn this and find it lamentable that the JLP would cover up for the moribund dictatorship in Cuba when the Fidel Castro regime repeatedly intervened in Jamaica’s politics to exacerbate partisan tensions and undermine the JLP.
“Jamaica will face the consequences.”
Andrew Holness is a strategist and his words are always measured. He is not one given to verbosity. Gimenez was an imbecile, block headed, unable to comprehend what Prime Minister Holness had said. He was a mongel dog only concerned about chasing that bone and fixed on his own self interest.
Many who have aligned with the Trump administration don’t care about the Caribbean’s welfare and see the countries as nothing more than plantations with its leaders serving as overseers ensuring their people comply with American diktats.
What Gimenez said is an example of a disrespectful and disdainful stance of the region and its people.
Prime Minister Holness did not deign to issue a response and quite rightly to.
During his address, he made it clear that Jamaica adheres to democratic principles, an open free market economy and that citizens must always have a say in the administration and governance of their country. That seemed to go way over Gimenez’s head.
What Prime Minister Holness was calling for and what the world needs right now given the conflict and turmoil that roils it, is “responsible state craft”.
Humanitarian suffering and destruction serves no one and is in fact ungodly making us all wretched creatures.
If you have a brother and you both grew up in a Christian home and later in life he converts to Islam, that should not give one cause to abandon him and turn your back on him when he is in trouble and in need.
The people of Cuba and the CARICOM region are indeed part of our shared history and we must look out for each other because no one else is looking out for us.
America can cripple small Caribbean states and they know it. They say they have leverage over us. They can decide Americans should no longer go on vacation in the Caribbean, they can cut off remittance inflows into the region, impose exorbitant tariffs on our goods and services in the United States.
Yes it is daunting and leaders and governments have to factor the greater good. When your head is in a tiger’s mouth, you had better take time.
Nevertheless the essence of who we are as a people, our character,what we stand for, the importance of residing in a zone of peace should always be inviolable.
Many Caribbean countries are preoccupied on fiscal management but they must pay more attention to the welfare of their citizens. What kind of country are they looking to develop? What can be done to ensure people build their lives at home and do not feel the need to go to distant lands where they are not wanted , appreciated or valued.
Some say Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ speech was courage-it was far more than that. It was as momentous as the Magna Carta, the Cyrus Cylinder, the U.S. Bill of Rights.
The full text of Prime Minister’s speech should be on every school and university wall, a testament to what humanitarianism from a Caribbean context should be about. Andrew Honess’s address should resonate for decades to come.
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