Dear Editor,

Politics and economic development go together with political theatre and are as much symbolic as is actual economic reality.

Vladimir Putin visited Central America and the Caribbean with a ceremonial visits to Cuba for the abolishing of the debt owed to Russia, and a stop for a short visit to Nicaragua for the acknowledgement of the wonder of the twenty-first century to date in that of the Nicaraguan Canal.

Jamaica was nowhere to be found in the visit of the Russian president to the New World, which culminated in the announcement of the BRIC pact in Brazil. How far down the totem pole has Jamaica descended to be totally obscured from the politics that is unfolding before our very eyes.

It is a pity that Jamaica, once at the vanguard of the Caribbean experiment, and later at the vanguard of the non-alignment movement to have, by all appearances, been relegated into obscurity as a non-player in the currently unfolding developments.

Jamaica’s interests need vigorous pursuing and defending for a country that has a significant amount of development left to be accomplished.

It is more than apparent that pettiness, self-indulgence and parochialism have become the defining characteristics of the current political cadre of the country and Jamaica is no longer the country it once was or was once perceived by the rest of the world.

Our political leadership, athletic prowess, dominant musical culture, and outstanding demonstrated connection to Africa have always placed us in a unique position for a small country in the theatre of world affairs. That unfortunately is no longer evident. There is no country that can survive without real visionary leadership. It is not enough to be in charge. Leadership answers to history and what is the history of Jamaica to be politically with a current role on the periphery of world events without the clear demonstration of the direct relations with the powerbrokers of world politics.

The most significant development in renewable energy development should have been seen with the clear demonstration of a direct engagement with Angela Merkel by Portia Simpson Miller, where Jamaica would be benefiting from the necessary significant reduction of the cost of energy.

What we are witnessing here is a clear sidelining of Jamaica in the scheme of world developments. Someone had better challenge the country’s political leadership to get Jamaica back in tune with expectations that were once the norm.

Douglas B Gooden

douglasbstagooden@gmail.com