Last month the United Nations General Assembly voted on a resolution “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”. In simple terms, the resolution demanded the United States to END the 1962 trade and financial embargo against Cuba.

To be expected voting went in favour of retaining the embargo. Of the 193 member states – 165 (in favour, 7 against and 12 abstained). Noteworthy, last month’s vote was the weakest support the resolution gained in the last 20 years.

Of interest to regional observers was how Cuba’s neighbours voted. The Bahamas, BARBADOS, Belize, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname voted YES. Guyana, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Jamaica ABSTAINED. Trinidad and Tobago voted NO. Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and St. Lucia did not record a vote.

It is worth a mention that Jamaica changed its 34 year vote from YES because its government was concerned about humanitarian suffering in Cuba among other manufactured concerns. Trinidad and Tobago went further by voting NO. Given Trinidad and Tobago’s position taken regarding the abduction of President Nicolàs Maduro. Truth be told, the UN resolution is non-binding anyway but the public posturing is useful to understand the complexion of the geopolitical landscape.

Although we are ‘sovereign’ countries, it was disappointing to observe the division in the Caribbean vote. It is obvious many Caribbean leaders were bullied by the Trump factor.

Caribbean countries – including JAMAICA AND TRINIDAD – have benefitted through the years from Cuba’s assistance especially in the area of healthcare. Cuba’s willingness to assist regional governments has been delivered despite a 64 year embargo by the global community led by a superpower. Will the USA and other global pro resolution countries answer the call from the region to mimic Cuba through the years?

To those like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago that demand governance reforms – is there a similar call for CHINA to do the same?

The level of hypocrisy and disingenuity exhibited by Caribbean leaders towards Cuba due to US pandering is nauseating. Those countries that have changed YES positions can be accurately described as vassal states.

The lesson from this vote is simple. Flags, national anthems and independence celebrations are easy. The true test of sovereignty comes when a small country must choose to act on principle. Last month, several Caribbean governments made their choice, and the region should take careful note of it. Prime Minister Mia Mottley and the Barbados government must be congratulated for standing on the right side of history.

We are deeply concerned about the growing humanitarian pressures facing the Cuban people. Too many are suffering,” PM Mottley told the assembly, adding that “restrictions on trade, finance and access to fuel deepen hardship, not only for Cuban citizens but for everyone who studies and lives there.

Barbados PM Rejects Blockade on Cuba, Backs Caribbean Peace at UNGA