Caribbean Leaders Reiterate Call for Lifting of US Embargo on Cuba
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders who attended the 23rd Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) in Venezuela have renewed their call for the lifting of the United States trade and economic embargo against Cuba.
Call for Lifting of Sanctions
According to the English version of the communique issued after the meeting, St Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre said that Castries has consistently called for an immediate lifting of the sanctions against countries in the region.
“We have done it consistently in every single session of the United Nations and we will continue to do so until all the sanctions are lifted, and we want them to be eliminated against all countries,” Pierre is quoted as informing the meeting held last Wednesday.
Condemnation of Blockade
Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said, “we cannot leave out the blockade against Cuba, which has affected millions of lives, and we as a world cannot sit back and allow a single country to impose this terrible act on a sister nation.”
“I told the president that there is nothing that can prevent us from strengthening and deepening our solidarity, our love for the people of Cuba and the Cuban Revolution,” he added.
PetroCaribe Revitalization
One of the key achievements of the summit was the revitalization of PetroCaribe, regarded as a key part of the economic agenda of ALBA 2030.
PetroCaribe was an energy agreement launched in 2005 under the leadership of the late Venezuelan leader, Hugo Chávez, to provide fuel to countries in the Caribbean at a subsidized price, with a part of the price paid consisting of services rendered or agricultural exports to Venezuela from the countries.
The agreement signed by over a dozen Caribbean countries also helped fund social programmes in countries to address socioeconomic equality such as expanding access to education, sanitation, public services, housing, healthcare and others.
ALBA 2030 Strategic Agenda
The meeting also approved of the ALBA 2030 Strategic Agenda drafted by the executive secretary to serve as a “guide and document to address the coming years and consolidate the alliance in a comprehensive way, in a joint effort to strengthen the most important areas for development and wellbeing of our people.”
The document, which reflects discussions and consultations with members of the bloc, outlines concrete plans in the economic, social, political, cultural, and communication realms to achieve the above goal.
Conclusion
The summit marked a significant step forward in the region’s efforts to strengthen economic ties and promote regional integration. The revitalization of PetroCaribe and the adoption of the ALBA 2030 Strategic Agenda are expected to have a positive impact on the region’s economic development and wellbeing.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the ALBA-TCP summit?
A: The purpose of the ALBA-TCP summit is to strengthen economic ties and promote regional integration among member states.
Q: What is PetroCaribe?
A: PetroCaribe is an energy agreement launched in 2005 to provide fuel to countries in the Caribbean at a subsidized price, with a part of the price paid consisting of services rendered or agricultural exports to Venezuela from the countries.
Q: What is the ALBA 2030 Strategic Agenda?
A: The ALBA 2030 Strategic Agenda is a document outlining concrete plans in the economic, social, political, cultural, and communication realms to achieve the goals of regional integration and development.