The game goes on

Following President Trump’s request for Caribbean nations to distance themselves from Cuba, our regional leaders have been very brazen in their responses. Many have already symbolically thrown away their visas in a public display of “righteousness” to appear as to challenge the great US “colonial” power.

Our leaders consistently underestimate or misunderstand the culture of US politics and the factors that drive decisions made by the White House. Despite who occupies the Oval Office, US political leadership is a high-level game that must be played carefully; balancing loyalties and favours, identifying and manipulating ulterior motives, and pursuing renewable wins in the name of legacy and power. Moreover, the stakes are of global proportions, meaning the consequences are just as high.

In the halls of international politics, national leaders play a similar game with state visits and diplomatic events often serving as carefully orchestrated performances, masking the real negotiations that take place behind closed doors. Engaging in this diplomatic arena is essential –not only to ensure a nation’s voice is heard but also to drive meaningful progress.

For the past few decades, our leaders have tried their hands at this game and have shown much room for improvement. Like many of us, our elected leaders, prefer to get caught up in the false complexities of our domestic politics (primarily to debate on our ineffective and largely detrimental political parties) than to champion genuine collective prosperity. Instead of strictly criticising the decisions made by the current US administration, resorting to unproductive name-calling, we would be wise to observe the mechanisms of diplomacy and learn how the game is played.

The issue of Cuban doctors, while raising valid human rights concerns, also reflects a strategic yet heavy-handed effort by the United States to sustain and expand its global dominance by countering communist expansion. What many critics view as a neo-colonial desire for control, is a misdiagnosed US tendency toward ideological assertiveness. Meanwhile, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has positioned itself as a key player in the region, leveraging promises of economic development — primarily through its debt-trap diplomacy model. Through various diplomatic and economic initiatives, Beijing seeks to shape perceptions and cultivate influence that ultimately serves its broader geopolitical ambitions. Despite their contrasting methods and ideological frameworks, both nations remain driven by a common objective: advancing their own self-interest.

Many media sources and overzealous academics will pitch this as the “next Cold War” — a silent battle for control between the PRC and the West with the Caribbean as the geopolitical battlefield. Unfortunately, this struggle has long been playing out on the African continent, where numerous governments have found themselves ensnared in the competition. The real challenge lies in the illusion of having to choose a side.

True strategic engagement begins with recognising the power of independent and sovereign nations. At the heart of any policy that we adopt or promote, domestically or otherwise, must be for the betterment of the people of our nation and our brother and sister nations. To get stuck in the “this or that” game risks losing more than we can ever gain. Both superpowers understand this dynamic and navigate it accordingly.

For far too long, the Caribbean has allowed events to unfold around us rather than shaping them in our own interest. Often depicted as a post-colonial paradise, we have never been viewed as a serious political player The region is perceived not as a strategic partner but as a dependent beneficiary. We have embraced the designation of “small island developing states” a label that grants us access to foreign aid but also reinforces a narrative of economic fragility and political inexperience. To the discerning observer, this categorisation diminishes our leaders’ credibility in global governance, reducing their influence on the international stage.

The fact of the matter is that our region’s relationship with the greater world is not symbiotic and rarely mutually beneficial. We receive more than we provide to the global community and our official outreach is limited beyond a few consular posts. That’s not to say that our contribution is insignificant, nor is it realistic to expect our impact to match that of larger powers.

However, in today’s evolving geopolitical landscape, we have a responsibility to assert ourselves as active participants. True agency begins with protecting and strengthening our sovereignty by investing in sustainable development across key sectors. By enhancing self-sufficiency and expanding our contributions to the global community, we increase our strategic value –positioning ourselves not as passive recipients, but as equal partners capable of meaningful negotiation and engagement.

God has blessed us with the hand he dealt us. Our region, known primarily for its beautiful beaches and crude oil, harbours hidden promise for prosperity in a host of untapped industries that will lead to sustainable and unified economic growth. Expanding sectors such as media, finance, and aviation would not only create domestic employment opportunities but also position the Caribbean as a key player in global markets. Relying solely on tourism, government service, and natural resource extraction limits our economic landscape and our ability to engage meaningfully with the international community.

Instead, we must leverage our intellectual capital, foster innovation, and invest in exporting and exchanging skilled professionals. By developing high-impact diplomatic initiatives and offering solutions to global demands, we can reshape our role on the world stage — not just as a destination, but as a dynamic and influential force in international affairs. Whether or not our voice is heard is determined by the level of impact that we have.

The game of international politics will persist, regardless of our region’s contributions. Frankly, there are no fixed rules; each nation operates with its own agenda, navigating the unpredictable and often chaotic dynamics of global relations. While it’s easy to criticise these countries for pursuing their interests — sometimes to the detriment of others — we should acknowledge that they are doing what they believe is best. This is a wake-up call to accept the opportunity to do the same and take control of our future and chart our own course, instead of remaining passive participants in this complex system. Let’s position ourselves as active, strategic players in the global arena.

Daniel Burgin

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