The Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) has criticised the Government’s decision to abstain from a United Nations vote calling for an end to the United States’ economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, arguing that the move represents a departure from Jamaica’s longstanding position on the issue.
In a statement issued this week, the union said Jamaica had consistently opposed the embargo at the United Nations for more than 30 years, standing alongside most Caribbean countries and the wider international community.
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“To abstain now is to break with that record,” the JBU said, adding that the decision raises questions about the country’s commitment to justice and the consistency of its foreign policy.
The union acknowledged the Government’s authority to determine Jamaica’s foreign policy and noted Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon’s statement that the decision was made without external pressure. It also took note of Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith’s position that Jamaica remains opposed to unilateral coercive measures that violate the United Nations Charter.
However, the JBU challenged the Government’s reasoning that repeatedly supporting the annual resolution had produced little progress in easing Cuba’s economic and humanitarian difficulties.
“If the embargo is wrong, and the Government says it is, then voting against it is the least our conscience asks of us,” the union stated, arguing that the absence of immediate results should not prevent Jamaica from upholding what it considers a matter of principle.
The organisation also highlighted the longstanding relationship between Jamaica and Cuba, including Cuba’s contributions to medical training, healthcare services and education in Jamaica.
It further expressed concern that the abstention reflected a division within CARICOM, warning that regional solidarity and the collective voice of Caribbean states are important in defending international law and the interests of smaller nations.
The JBU stressed that its criticism was not an endorsement of Cuba’s political system, but a concern about the impact of the embargo on ordinary Cubans. It urged the Government to reconsider its position and restore Jamaica’s clear opposition to the restrictions.
