No country in the entire world has suffered the debilitating treatment that has been meted out to Cuba and for the extended period that it has been sustained, leading to social and economic damage that has been described as “inhumane” and as a current “humanitarian crisis.”
Those of us who have visited the beautiful Caribbean island of Cuba, enjoyed an atmosphere quite similar to ours and warmth that almost feels like home.
However, for almost 70 years this small island has remained under immense pressure of an embargo that has been even further propped up by the Helms–Burton Act of 1996 and similar aggressive postures.
It is exceedingly important to note that prior to the commencement of economic aggression against Cuba, Havana was the trendy playground for tourists from around the world, celebrities, and wealthy elites, featuring luxury hotels, cabarets, and casinos.
So, what happened? Actually, what happened really does not matter for the purposes of this discussion which is aimed at addressing the regions response to the hurt that Cuba has endured.
The historic failure of the region to effectively lend their voice to assist a fellow Caribbean country will reverberate through the annals of history long after we are all dust.
In the well documented list of events leading up to, and after, the sanction, nowhere can be found a strong enough regional voice determined to assist and uplift our Cuban brothers and sisters. History will ask us what was our contribution as a region do to lend a hand to a country ever willing to assist the Caribbean and the rest of the world whenever they were called to serve. Even more importantly, where was St. Lucia in all this.
At every turn, Cuba has extended itself to countries in crisis, whether because of natural disasters or otherwise. Their doctors and nurses and soldiers and engineers have been dispatched to wherever they were needed and have arrived in places where they have themselves offered to go. They have educated thousands throughout the region via scholarships worth millions.
So, while it has not been said openly, the Cuban people must have felt a dagger in the back, the stab to the heart, the kick in the gut when a number of CARICOM states did not raise their hand in support for a UN vote meant to send yet another clear message that Cuba has support around the world but especially at home. St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica were simply not present for the vote last month. Guyana, Haiti and Jamaica abstained while Trinidad and Tobago voted against the Cuba cause.
Some say that pressure was applied to cause some countries to vote in a certain direction, seemingly supported by a sharp drop from last year’s voting figures. The resolution passed 130-17, with 25 abstentions, compared to 165 – 7 with 12 abstentions previously.
Irrespective, it must be a hard pill for Cuba to swallow. It must have been difficult for this small country to assist all in need with their scarce resources, under heavy pressure from those with economic strength.
How much more would it have meant if we stood up for our friend in need? Whether the UN resolution passed or not, our support would have meant the world to a country that has demonstrated time and time again that they are, not only a friend, but they are family.