Kingston, 30 October 2024. In an afternoon session and for the 16th consecutive year, the Jamaican House of Representatives of Parliament passed by consensus on Tuesday, October 29, a resolution condemning the US government's economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, and calling for the island's removal from the illegal list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism. The resolution was introduced by the Honourable Alando Terrelonge, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
Following its presentation, legislators from both parliamentary parties, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP), outlined the numerous effects caused by this unilateral policy and reiterated the extraterritorial nature of the blockade which prevents Cuba from establishing normal trade relations with third countries, including Jamaica and other Caribbean nations. They also denounced the implications of this genocidal policy in the complex energy situation that our country is currently facing.
In relation to the island's continued inclusion on the spurious and unilateral list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism, it was described as a violation of international law and the right to self-determination of nations.
In supporting the motion, the parliamentarians expressed their admiration and respect for the Cuban people for their resilience and creative capacity in the face of adversity; for their achievements in various social spheres; as well as for their cooperation with Jamaica, the Caribbean and other peoples of the world in various fields, including health and education, setting an example in South-South cooperation.
The Ambassador of Cuba in Jamaica, Fermín Quiñones Sánchez, attended this session of the legislative body as a special guest, where the will of the Jamaican Parliament, government and people to accompany the people of Cuba in the battle to put an end to the genocidal blockade policy was ratified.