By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
The Caribbean’s diplomatic and legislative landscape is shifting rapidly this week as CARICOM leaders grapple with a deepening humanitarian crisis in Cuba and Barbados introduces landmark governance reforms. Here is your Wednesday evening news summary.
CARICOM: Outgoing Chair Holness Demands “Clarity and Courage” on Cuba
At the opening of the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued a stark warning regarding the deteriorating situation in Cuba.
- Regional Spillover: Holness cautioned that a prolonged crisis in Havana—marked by severe food and energy shortages—would not remain confined to the island. He predicted direct impacts on regional migration, security, and economic stability.
- Responsible Statecraft: Calling for a move beyond mere rhetoric, he urged leaders to approach the crisis with “principled realism,” balancing traditional solidarity with a firm stance on democracy and political accountability.
- US Engagement: The summit serves as the backdrop for high-level talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in Basseterre to discuss regional security and the ongoing U.S. oil blockade that has crippled Cuba’s energy infrastructure.
Canada Pledges $8 Million in Emergency Aid to Cuba
As the United Nations warns of an imminent humanitarian collapse, Canada has announced an immediate assistance plan to support the Cuban people.
- Targeted Support: Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed an accelerated funding of $8 million (CAD) to scale up food and nutrition for vulnerable communities.
- Direct Delivery: To ensure the aid reaches those in need, the support will be channeled through trusted international partners, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF, rather than the Cuban government.
- The Energy Crisis: The aid comes as the island faces a total energy blockade, with fuel shipments from Venezuela and Mexico halted following U.S. pressure, leading to widespread blackouts and logistical failures across the country.
Barbados: Prime Minister Mottley Tables Anti-Defection Bill
Fresh off an emphatic 30-0 election victory on February 11, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has moved to tighten the rules of parliamentary governance.
- Mandate Integrity: The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 introduced on Tuesday targets MPs who “cross the floor.” Under the new law, any member who resigns, is expelled, or changes party allegiance must vacate their seat and face a by-election.
- Protecting the Voter: Mottley emphasized that the bill is about protecting the “voter’s choice,” arguing that citizens elect a party’s manifesto and ideology, not just an individual.
- Freedom of Dissent: The PM clarified that the law does not silence internal criticism or dissent within a party; it only triggers a new mandate when a formal change in political allegiance occurs.
