JLP rejects criticisms that gov’t is weak, following decision to not renew Cuba medical-care arrangement

The Jamaica Labour Party, JLP is rejecting criticisms that the government is weak, following its decision to not renew the medical-care arrangement with Cuba after 5 decades.

Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Ministry announced last week that both countries were unable to agree on new terms and conditions under a revised technical cooperation framework.

However Cuba insists the decision was a unilateral one and accused Jamaica of yielding to pressure from the United States.

Some Jamaicans have welcomed the development, while others have expressed concern that the discontinuation of the agreement will affect public health care.

Speaking with the media during a function at the AC Hotel in St. Andrew today, Chairman of the JLP Communication Taskforce, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley said there can be no question that the Holness-administration’s approach to diplomacy over the past decade has served Jamaica well.

He noted that some critics have referenced former Prime Minister Michael Manley’s confrontational approach to the US in the 1970s and his support for Cuba and accused the holness-government of being weak.

Senator Fitz-Henley has rejected that claim.

He said the Holness-administration’s approach to navigating the international geo-political environment has been sound.