CARICOM reiterates call for an immediate end to embargo against Cuba
─ CARICOM also rejects unilateral extra territorial nature of the action – Ambassador LaRocque
DPI, Guyana, Friday June 14, 2019
CARICOM maintains its stance that the economic embargo imposed against Cuba by the United States is unwarranted.
Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Irwin LaRocque, made the appeal as he addressed the opening ceremony of the Sixth Meeting of CARICOM and Cuban Foreign Ministers in Georgetown the morning.
“The community reiterates its call for an immediate and unconditional end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the government of the United States of America against Cuba,” he declared.
Ambassador LaRocque said CARICOM also rejects especially, “the unilateral extra territorial nature of these actions”.
The US recently strengthened its decade old embargo on Cuba, after the country publicly stated its support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
On the matter of Venezuela, CARICOM has called for non-intervention in the internal affairs of countries and has adopted this principle with regards to the South American country.
Ambassador LaRocque reiterated that Cuba has been a long-standing, supportive partner particularly in building the region’s human capital, in fields such as public health and sport.
He said recent and ongoing developments at the regional and hemispheric levels have had significant impacts on Cuba, as well as CARICOM member states.
Meanwhile, Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, during her address at the opening of the foreign ministers meeting, also noted Cuba’s significant role in the development of the region.
“Particularly, in human resources,” she stated.
Image: Keno George