Trinidad and Tobago will not participate in a coordinated regional effort by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to send humanitarian aid to Cuba, choosing instead to pursue an independent approach to assistance.
Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers confirmed that the government intends to work directly with agencies operating within Cuba to deliver support, rather than contributing to the bloc’s centralized initiative.
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CARICOM governments had earlier announced plans to dispatch relief supplies to Cuba, with coordination led by the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana. The proposed shipment includes essential goods such as powdered milk, including infant formula, non-perishable food items, basic medical supplies, solar panels, batteries, and water storage equipment. The initiative is also expected to receive logistical support from Mexico.
However, Sobers said Trinidad and Tobago has already engaged with established relief organizations on the ground in Cuba to assess specific needs and avoid duplication of supplies.
“we have been in communication with organizations in cuba that are well known for their relief efforts,” sobers said, noting that the country has expressed its willingness to provide assistance once priority needs are confirmed.
He emphasized that Trinidad and Tobago has a longstanding tradition of responding to humanitarian crises and will continue to support the Cuban people through its own channels.
The minister also addressed criticism surrounding his refusal to answer questions in the Senate related to U.S.-led regional security initiatives. Sobers cited parliamentary rules allowing ministers to withhold sensitive information where disclosure could be contrary to the public interest.
“information related to security and safety must be safeguarded,” he said, maintaining that his decision was guided by national interest considerations.
Sobers dismissed criticism from opposition figures, including members of the People’s National Movement, defending his discretion in responding to parliamentary inquiries.
“I rarely listen to the pnm a and the pnm b teams. i use my judgment in responding to questions,” he added.
While opting out of the regional mechanism, the government reiterated its commitment to providing humanitarian support to Cuba as the island continues to face economic and infrastructural challenges.
