By: Staff Writer
February 27, 2026
Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, highlights the severe economic hardship and growing humanitarian strain in Cuba.
Holness, raising his concerns at the 50th Conference of Heads of Government for CARICOM, said: “Friends, we must address the situation in Cuba with clarity and courage. Cuba is our Caribbean neighbour.
“Its doctors and teachers have served across our region. Its people are part of our shared 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.”
He also said: “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. It is therefore important that we carefully consider this matter and take collective action.
“Let there be no doubt, Jamaica stands firmly for democracy, human rights, political accountability and open market based economies, we do not believe that long term stability can 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.
“This moment therefore calls not for rhetoric, but for responsible statecraft, even as we encourage support for humanitarian relief, Jamaica supports constructive dialog between Cuba and the United States aimed at de-escalation, reform and stability, we believe there is space, perhaps more space now than in years past, for pragmatic engagement that protects the Cuban people from any further deterioration in their circumstances, and instead promotes national and regional prosperity.”
Cuba is currently experiencing its most severe socio-economic and energy crisis in decades, which intensified in early 2026 due to an effective American fuel blockade.
Since January 2026, the U.S. has blocked oil shipments from Venezuela and Mexico, causing rampant fuel shortages. This has led to daily blackouts lasting 12–20 hours, crippling hospitals, water pumping stations, and public transport.
On February 25, 2026, the Cuban coast guard shot and killed four people on a U.S.-registered speedboat near Cayo Falcones, further escalating tensions between Washington and Havana.
As tensions rise, US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, attended this years Conference to sure up support against Cuba in the Caribbean.