US congressman says Jamaica to face ‘consequences’ after PM’s Cuba statement
KINGSTON, Jamaica — United States (US) Congressman Carlos Giménez blasted Prime Minister Andrew Holness via X on Wednesday following Holness’ comments sharing solidarity with Cuba as the Caribbean country deals with the effects of an oil blockage engineered by the US.
Addressing Holness in his capacity as the leader of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Giménez said, “I harshly condemn this and find it lamentable that the JLP would cover up for the moribund dictatorship in #Cuba, when the Castro regime repeatedly intervened in #Jamaica’s politics to exacerbate partisan tensions and undermine the JLP!”
He ended his post saying, “Jamaica will face the consequences!”
The Cuban-born congressman who migrated to the United States as a child was responding to a post where Holness had earlier that day shared a clip of himself speaking at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Caricom Heads of Government and called for the Caribbean Community to “speak plainly” about what is happening in Cuba.
“Today, many Cubans are facing serious economic hardship, energy shortages and growing humanitarian challenges. We are sensitive to their struggles. But we must also recognise that a prolonged crisis in Cuba will not remain there,” Holness shared in the caption.
“It can impact migration, security and economic stability across the Caribbean, including Jamaica,” he added, noting that Jamaica would stand in solidarity with Cuba.
The US announced on Wednesday it would ease its ban on Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba, which came into effect when the country invaded Venezuela and captured then-president Nicolas Maduro in January.
The rollback followed weeks of instability, with the communist-run island plunging into an economic crisis, which pushed Caribbean leaders to sound the alarm about potential regional consequences.
READ: US eases ban on Venezuelan oil to Cuba as crisis alarms Caribbean
Giménez followed his comments with a separate post praising Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
“Caribbean countries should follow the lead of @PM_Kamla of Trinidad & Tobago, who has governed with moral clarity, strengthened her nation’s alliance with the US, and championed democracy in the region. Trinidad and Tobago is benefiting tremendously and other nations can as well!” he said.
