Dear Editor,

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has long stated its position: “We are with the West.” This posture, articulated by Sir Alexander Bustamante at the dawn of Independence, reflected the geopolitical realities of the Cold War. Jamaica was a small, newly independent State navigating a polarised world, and alignment with Western democracies was seen as the safest path to economic stability and international support.

In that context, the policy was understandable. But the world has changed dramatically since 1962. Jamaica now faces a new global paradigm, one marked by renewed struggles for geopolitical dominance, shifting alliances, and increasing pressure on small states to choose sides in conflicts not of their making.

Against this background, the abrupt termination of Jamaica’s medical cooperation programme with Cuba raises troubling questions about the country’s diplomatic posture and political independence. For more than six decades the Cuban people have extended solidarity to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. Cuban doctors, nurses, and medical professionals have served in our hospitals, strengthening our public health system and providing care to communities that might otherwise have been neglected. Their contribution to Jamaica’s health-care system is undeniable.

To sever this programme so suddenly appears both ungrateful and diplomatically clumsy. Equally troubling is the claim by Foreign Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith that Jamaica’s decision was not influenced by pressure from the United States.

We are living in the midst of an intensifying hegemonic contest for global influence, and small developing states often find themselves caught in the crosscurrents of these struggles. Jamaica’s strategic location along one of the hemisphere’s most important maritime trade routes makes the country particularly vulnerable in times of geopolitical tension.

Navigating such waters requires diplomatic sophistication, alliances, and political maturity. Unfortunately, the Andrew Holness Administration appears to have handled this matter with little of the finesse required in such circumstances. Rather than carefully balancing Jamaica’s interests while preserving long-standing relationships, the Government seems to have acted hastily without building the political consensus necessary to support such a consequential decision.

At moments like this, leadership demands transparency. Prime Minister Holness should level with the Jamaican people about the pressures confronting the country. If Jamaica has been subjected to external pressure regarding its relationship with Cuba, the public deserves to know. But even more important is the need for national unity in responding to these pressures.

Foreign policy decisions that affect the sovereignty and strategic direction of the nation should not be treated as narrow partisan matters. They require a broad national consensus. That is why Prime Minister Holness should immediately invite the Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding to participate in crafting a bipartisan national response to the external pressures facing Jamaica. Such an approach would send a powerful signal, both at home and abroad, that on matters of sovereignty and national dignity Jamaica stands united.

History provides a useful reminder. During periods of intense geopolitical tension in the past, Jamaica’s leaders understood the importance of building alliances and projecting diplomatic strength. The Michael Manley Administration, for example, cultivated relationships within the Non-Aligned Movement, the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group, and influential political networks abroad, including the Congressional Black Caucus in the United States. Supported by skilled diplomats like PJ Patterson, Jamaica was able to navigate the complexities of the Cold War era while maintaining its Independence and international credibility.

That kind of diplomatic depth and political capital matters. Today Jamaica risks appearing isolated — standing alone without the alliances, goodwill, and diplomatic leverage needed to navigate an increasingly volatile international environment. Small states cannot afford such vulnerability. The world is entering a period of intensified geopolitical rivalry, and Jamaica must approach this moment with prudence, unity, and strategic clarity.

The Cuban people have been long-standing friends of Jamaica. Their support, particularly in the field of health care, should not be dismissed lightly. Likewise, Jamaica should not allow its foreign policy to be shaped by external pressure without open national discussion.

At this critical juncture, the country needs candour from its leadership and unity across the political divide. Prime Minister Holness must, therefore, do the responsible thing: Tell the Jamaican people the truth about the pressures confronting the country and work with Golding to forge a bipartisan national response that protects Jamaica’s sovereignty and dignity.

O Dave Allen

odamaxf@yahoo.com