Jamaica has not changed its opposition to embargo placed on Cuba but calls for broader approach to better serve Cubans -Johnson Smith

November 3, 2026

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Jamaica has not changed its opposition to the embargo that the United States has placed on Cuba.

The statement follows Jamaica’s abstention from the United Nations General Assembly vote to lift the United States embargo against Cuba.

Questions have been raised about the reason for Jamaica abstaining, with former Prime Minister PJ Patterson criticising the move.

In a release yesterday, the Ministry said the Government remains concerned about the embargo’s impact on the Cuban people and values the longstanding friendship and cooperation with Cuba.

However, the release said what has changed is the Government’s assessment of whether continued support for an annual resolution addressing only one dimension of Cuba’s circumstances represents the most constructive approach.

According to Portfolio Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith the UN system offers three voting approaches which are quite distinct and not inter-changeable which are for, against and abstention.

She said Jamaica did not vote against the resolution but abstained.

Senator Johnson Smith also explained that the Government was not silent on the issue but formally explained its position immediately after the vote.

She said Jamaica’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN expressly acknowledged the contribution of external economic restrictions to Cuba’s difficulties, while also recognising the domestic economic and structural challenges affecting the country.

Mrs. Johnson Smith noted that Jamaica called for reduced restrictions, constructive engagement and Cuba’s greater integration into the international economic system.

She further noted that for more than three decades, the General Assembly has called for an end to the embargo, yet it remains in place and the circumstances facing the Cuban people have deteriorated.

According to the Minister, it is reasonable to consider whether a broader approach might better serve the objective to improve the lives of the Cuban people.

She then argued that the Cuban people deserve more than an annually repeated expression of solidarity that has not achieved its central objective.

Minister Johnson Smith said the citizens of Cuba deserve constructive international engagement directed towards meaningful improvements in their lives.