Minister Sean Sobers Defends T&T’s Vote Against UN Resolution On Cuba
Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers is defending Trinidad and Tobago’s decision to break from its longstanding position on the United Nations resolution calling for an end to the United States embargo against Cuba, citing concerns over the island’s political system and democratic freedoms.
Speaking in the House of Representatives on Friday, he said T&T’s recent decision on Cuba reflects the Government’s call for political change on the island, a position first articulated by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at a CARICOM Heads of Government meeting earlier this year.
« Our vote was not against the Cuban people. Our vote, rather, was for the Cuban people, and our position on this matter was clearly telegraphed by the Honourable Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Senior Counsel, MP, when she had the courage to categorically call for change in Cuba during her address at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in St Kitts and Nevis in February of this year. »
He pointed to divisions across the region, noting that several countries either voted against the resolution, abstained or did not participate in the vote.
« The countries in the Western Hemisphere which chose not to support the resolution either by voting no were Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Paraguay. Those who chose to abstain were Chile, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, and Peru. And those who chose to absent themselves were Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Venezuela, and St Lucia. In other words, Mr Speaker, more than half of the CARICOM members within the region chose not to support the Cuban resolution. »
The Minister said the Government’s position is based on its assessment of Cuba’s political system and the need for greater democratic accountability.
« We cannot demand democracy, free and fair elections, freedom of expression and political rights for ourselves while remaining silent when those same freedoms are denied to the Cuban people. Our position is against military dictatorship and supportive of the Cuban people’s right to democratically elect a government of their choice. »
He also criticised the Opposition’s position on the issue, accusing the PNM of supporting diplomatic efforts that fail to address the absence of democratic elections in Cuba.
« True solidarity is not silence. True solidarity is standing with the Cuban people in their demand for political reform, democratic rights and freedoms, and for a future where Cuba’s prosperity depends on the freedom of its people, not on the preservation of a dictatorship. »
Minister Sobers maintained that Trinidad and Tobago will continue to use its voice on the international stage to advocate for political reform in Cuba, saying the Cuban people must be free to determine their own future.
