CUBA In Crisis: Opposition Urges Government Action on Cuban Emergency

KINGSTON,  Jamaica, October 23, 2024 - Jamaica's Opposition PNP has launched a scathing critique of the government's silence on Cuba's mounting humanitarian crisis, as the island nation grapples with widespread power outages and the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar's deadly assault.

Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Dr. Angela Brown Burke,  emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that Cuba—Jamaica's closest neighbor—remains without vital assistance while its infrastructure crumbles. "As our closest neighbour, Cuba is in dire need of immediate support, yet we have not heard of any concrete plans for aid or assistance from the Jamaican Government," she stated.

The devastation, which has already claimed six lives, comes at a critical moment in Caribbean relations. Brown Burke's intervention highlights decades of Cuban support to Jamaica, particularly in healthcare, where Cuban scholarships have helped build Jamaica's medical workforce from the ground up.

"Over the past four decades, many of Jamaica's medical professionals have received full scholarships to study in Cuba, significantly strengthening our healthcare system," she noted, adding that Cuban healthcare workers have become an integral part of Jamaica's medical landscape.

The Opposition's call for action also spotlights Cuba's lesser-known contributions to Jamaica's sporting prowess. The Caribbean powerhouse's gift of the G.C. Foster College has been instrumental in forging Jamaica's athletic dominance on the world stage, a fact Brown Burke emphasized in her appeal for reciprocal support.

In what appears to be a pointed rebuke to the government's inaction, Brown Burke underscored Cuba's historical reliability during regional crises. "When Jamaica and other Caribbean nations faced tough times, Cuba was one of the few countries that consistently offered support, whether in healthcare, education, sports, or infrastructure development," she stated.

The Opposition's challenge to the government comes with a clear demand for immediate mobilization of relief efforts, framing the crisis as a test of Jamaica's commitment to regional solidarity.

"It is now our turn to stand with Cuba in its hour of need," Brown Burke declared, calling for swift action to demonstrate what she termed "unwavering friendship and solidarity" with Jamaica's northern neighbor.

The ball now sits squarely in the government's court, as pressure mounts for a concrete response to this escalating humanitarian crisis.

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