Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar have both addressed the situation in Cuba, urging regional leaders to confront the issue with what Holness described as “clarity and courage” while affirming democratic principles.

Speaking on the regional stage, Holness acknowledged Cuba’s historic role in the Caribbean, noting that its doctors and teachers have served across the region and that its people are part of a shared Caribbean history.

“But today, the Cuban people face severe economic hardship, energy shortages and growing humanitarian strain. Jamaica is sensitive to the struggles of the Cuban people,” Holness said.

He warned that a prolonged crisis in Cuba would have wider regional consequences.

“Humanitarian suffering serves no one. Apart from our fraternal care and solidarity with the Cuban people, it must be clear that a prolonged crisis in Cuba will not remain confined to Cuba. It will affect migration, security and economic stability across the Caribbean Basin.”

Holness said Jamaica stands firmly for democracy, human rights, political accountability and open market-based economies, adding that long-term stability cannot exist where economic freedom is constrained and political participation is limited.

“Sustainable prosperity requires openness to ideas, to enterprise, to investment and to the will of the people,” he said, calling for constructive dialogue between Cuba and the United States aimed at de-escalation, reform and stability, alongside support for humanitarian relief.

Persad-Bissessar also addressed Cuba, framing her remarks around democratic consistency within the region.

“There is global focus today on Cuba. Every leader here participated in democratic elections in our respective countries,” she said.

“Therefore, I ask: why do some CARICOM governments and political parties believe that they and their political parties’ supporters should have the right to contest democratic elections to choose their leaders, but Cuban citizens should not have the right to do the same?”

She argued that regional leaders cannot promote democracy at home while supporting what she described as communism and dictatorship abroad.

“You cannot advocate for others to live under communism and dictatorship, but want to live under democracy and capitalism yourself,” Persad-Bissessar said.

The Trinidad and Tobago prime minister outlined her country’s position, saying it supports regular, free and fair democratic elections in a multi-party system, equality before the law, the rule of law, majority rule with minority rights, separation of powers, accountability and transparency, freedom of expression and association, and capitalism.

Both leaders’ comments signal growing regional debate over governance, reform and the future direction of Cuba amid ongoing economic and humanitarian challenges.