Kingston, Jamaica, 9 December 2020. Represented by its Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson-Smith, Jamaica attended the Seventh Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Cuba, held virtually on Tuesday, December 8.
Speaking on behalf of her government, the Jamaican Foreign Minister acknowledged the role of the summits in strengthening the bonds of friendship, cooperation and solidarity enjoyed between the Caribbean Community and Cuba; she praised the support provided by the government of Cuba in addressing some of the main challenges faced by state members of the Community - mentioning the assistance with the treatment and containment of Covid-19 and the granting of scholarships to provide tertiary level education to CARICOM nationals in critical areas. She highlighted Cuba's progress in developing a vaccine against the coronavirus that causes the pandemic, and classified commercial and economic cooperation as "a vital component " of the CARICOM-Cuba partnership.
Another core segment of her speech was dedicated to the economic, commercial and financial blockade of the US government against Cuba.
“Please also allow me to reiterate ―said the Minister―Jamaica’s unwavering support and solidarity with the people of Cuba, in respect of the critical need to end the decades-long economic, trade and financial embargo, which continues to compromise the well-being of the citizens of Cuba and the country’s attainment of its social and economic development goals.”