The 50th Regular Meeting of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government commences today in St. Kitts and Nevis, with the regional bloc’s agenda dominated by mounting apprehensions over a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Cuba. This crisis has been significantly exacerbated by the stringent oil embargo reinstated under the administration of former US President Donald Trump.
Chaired by St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, the summit will continue through February 27th. The gathering occurs amidst heightened diplomatic tensions, particularly following the announcement that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the proceedings. A State Department spokesman, Tommy Pigott, stated that Rubio aims to “reaffirm the United States’ commitment to working with Caricom member states to enhance stability and prosperity” throughout the region.
However, this pledge of cooperation is set against a backdrop of strong regional criticism directed at US foreign policy toward Cuba. Although not a member of Caricom, Cuba maintains long-standing and deep-rooted relations with numerous member nations. The summit’s discourse is anticipated to be heavily influenced by a powerful appeal issued last week by eight former Caricom heads of government. These distinguished former leaders vehemently urged Washington to rescind its sanctions, which they condemned as an “inhumane weapon of mass destruction” devastating the Cuban populace. This collective condemnation underscores a significant rift between US policy and the consensus within the Caribbean community, positioning the humanitarian impact of the embargo as a critical test for regional diplomacy and US-Caricom relations.