US thanks T&T for standing against Cuban regime

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has thanked Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for supporting calls for democratic change in Cuba.

In a post on X on Friday, Landau said the United States recognised and appreciated Trinidad and Tobago’s vote in favour of what he described as a democratic transition in Cuba at the United Nations this year.

“We’re proud to stand alongside Trinidad & Tobago and other democracies in the region in calling out the repressive Cuban regime,” he said.

Landau questioned how countries could support a government which, he claimed, had not allowed its people to vote for almost 68 years.

“How can countries vote in favor of a regime that has not allowed its own people to vote for almost 68 YEARS?!” he wrote.

He also extended his best wishes to Persad-Bissessar and the people of Trinidad and Tobago, recalling that he was proud to have visited the country a few months ago.

Persad-Bissessar responded by thanking Landau for his comments and reaffirming the Government’s position on democracy, freedom and human rights.

“The Government of Trinidad and Tobago stands for democracy, freedom, human dignity and the right of every citizen, including the people of Cuba, to freely determine their political future,” she said.

The exchange follows Trinidad and Tobago’s controversial vote at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, when the country joined the United States in opposing a resolution calling for an end to the US economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba.

It marked a significant departure from T&T’s longstanding position on the issue. The country had voted in favour of lifting the embargo every year since 1993, having abstained when the resolution was first introduced in 1992.

Despite T&T’s opposition, the resolution was adopted, with 130 countries voting in favour, 17 against and 25 abstaining.

The resolution, which is non-binding, was the 34th annual call by the General Assembly for an end to the US embargo.

The Government has defended its vote on the grounds that it supports democracy and political freedoms for the Cuban people.