PNP urges government to send help to Cuba

The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has called on the government to swiftly respond to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Cuba.

According to the PNP’s spokesperson on Foreign and Regional Affairs, Dr Angela Brown Burke, the Spanish speaking island is in dire need of immediate support, but questioned the absence of an announcement of any concrete plans for aid or assistance from the Jamaican government.

Brown Burke added that this is an opportunity to reaffirm Jamaica’s commitment to a nation with which it shares strong bilateral ties.

“When friends were few and far between for Jamaica and much of the Caribbean, Cuba gave aid in whatever manner they could, whether it was in healthcare, sports, education or construction. We must therefore not leave them now in their time of need,” she said.

Brown Burke said over the last four decades, many of Jamaica’s medical professionals have received full scholarships to study in Cuba, while that country has sent many of its nationals to significantly strengthen the country’s healthcare system.

“These healthcare professionals have served our system with precision and excellence, and many have in turn made Jamaica their home or second home. Our entire athletic programme and worldwide acclaim of athletes can be attributed to Cuban technical support and the gift of the GC Foster College for training of our athletes and sports administrators for schools throughout the island,” she noted.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamina Johnson Smith, in a post on social media extended sympathies and solidarity as Cuba battles an island-wide blackout which was further compounded after the country was affected by Hurricane Oscar that caused at least seven deaths.

Johnson Smith, while noting that Jamaica’s embassy was also affected, said it is seeking to continue providing services within constraints.

– CMC