CARICOM Leaders Urge De-Escalation on Cuba as U.S. Pressure Mounts

2026-02-26 - 14:55

At the opening of the 50th regular summit of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in St Kitts and Nevis, regional leaders sent a unified call for de-escalation and dialogue over the ongoing crisis in Cuba, warning that tensions stemming from recent United States policy actions could have wide-ranging impacts across the Caribbean. Jamaica’s Prime Minister and outgoing CARICOM chair, Andrew Holness, framed the situation as both a humanitarian and regional security concern. Speaking Tuesday in Basseterre, he urged “constructive dialogue between Cuba and the United States aimed at de-escalation, reform and stability,” stressing Cuba’s longstanding role as a partner in the region, particularly through Cuban doctors and teachers who have served throughout the Caribbean. Holness warned that if Cuba’s economic and energy crisis deepens, the effects will ripple outwards, influencing migration patterns, security challenges, and economic stability in neighboring states. Holness also cautioned that the current crisis — exacerbated by an oil embargo and fuel shortages linked to U.S. pressure — requires clarity and courage from regional leaders. He noted that while Jamaica supports democratic values and human rights, the humanitarian needs of the Cuban people must not be overlooked. The incoming CARICOM chair, Terrance Drew, echoed those concerns and appealed for humanitarian support. Drawing on his personal experiences studying in Cuba for seven years, Drew highlighted reports from friends on the island about food scarcity, challenges accessing clean water, increasing garbage in the streets, and strained energy services. He urged CARICOM to serve as a facilitator for dialogue and humanitarian assistance rather than a forum for confrontation. The summit comes as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in St Kitts and Nevis for talks with CARICOM leaders. His visit reflects growing concern in Washington over regional security threats, migration, and transnational crime, even as Caribbean governments voice unease about the humanitarian impacts of the Cuba embargo and other U.S. policies. Amid these tensions, the United States has slightly relaxed restrictions on Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba, allowing commercial and humanitarian shipments through private intermediaries — a move that Caribbean leaders hope will ease some pressure on Cuba’s energy-starved economy. However, the broader embargo and U.S. threats of sanctions continue to heighten unease in the region. While Rubio’s talks emphasize deeper cooperation on security and economic issues, including energy development, many CARICOM leaders are urging a balanced approach that prioritizes humanitarian relief and diplomatic engagement with Cuba to prevent instability from spreading throughout the Caribbean.