Prime Minister Godwin Friday has called for an end to the embargo against Cuba and support for Haiti, where gangs have killed thousands of people since the execution of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
“We must speak clearly on two urgent matters in our hemisphere,” Friday said at the CELAC summit in Colombia at the weekend.
“The economic, commercial, and financial embargo continues to impose severe hardship on the Cuban people,” the Vincentian leaders told leaders from the Americas.
“St Vincent and the Grenadines reaffirms the need to end this embargo and rejected the extraterritorial measures that obstruct Cuba’s access to international financial transactions, while noting that its continued designation as a state sponsor of terrorism further restricts its development,” Friday said.
He said that as partners committed to sovereignty and international law, CELAC and Africa “must stand together in calling for the immediate removal of these anti-development measures”.
The vast majority of member states of the United Nations have repeatedly voted in favour of the lifting of the embargo, which the United States has enforced since 1962, resulting in socio-economic hardships in Cuba.
Last year, 163 of the UN’s 193 Member States again urged Washington to lift the measures.
The resolution – titled Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba – was adopted by 165 votes in favour, seven against, and 12 abstentions.
This year, Cuba has been rocked by repeated and extensive blackouts as the United States has sought to cut off the supply of oil to the country.
Meanwhile, Friday told the summit that Kingstown expresses strong solidarity with the Government and people of Haiti as they work toward political, economic, and social stability.
The political unrest in Haiti has gotten progressively worse, ballooning into a humanitarian crisis since the assassination of the country’s leader in July 2021.
“We have emphasised the need for Haitian-led dialogue, strengthened security institutions, action against illicit arms flows, and support for the organisation of elections envisioned for August 2026 under the National Pact for Stability,” Friday said.
He said CELAC and Africa must join forces to help Haiti rebuild with dignity,
sovereignty, and long-term resilience.
“These are not isolated issues—they are tests of our collective commitment to justice, solidarity, and South–South cooperation,” the Vincentian leader said.
“The Global South — if united — can shape international law, global governance, climate obligations, and development financing toward justice and equity.”
Its seems like PM Friday, not off to a good start at all, is playing copycat on all of former PM Gonsalves’ policies.
It’s about time!!
Thank you PM don’t be afraid!
Africa and the Caribbean need to speak with one voice on this matter
Here comes the notorious converted Jew of Layou with his usual diatribe and unusual predictions. Iwitness news readers from analysts of his contributions, pay lip service to this individual. He should come better next time as this is the dawn of a new year and government. His wife a former banker is not in agreement with most of his articles and has dissociate herself.