Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, speaking at the recently concluded 31st Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. (C.Pitt/BGIS)

Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have once again denounced the enhanced sanctions imposed on Cuba by the United States of America (USA).

Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, made this statement at the recently concluded 31st Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM, held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre in Barbados.

Mr. Skerrit lamented that under Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, the US’ economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba has been strengthened.

“The heads have denounced as unjustifiable the application of laws and measures of extra-territorial nature that are contrary to international law,” he said.

Prime Minister Skerrit further pointed out that the heads expressed “deep appreciation” for medical assistance provided by Cuba to CARICOM member states, noting the assistance has helped to build not only the health sector in member states, but it has been of tremendous benefit to the region’s people.

The Prime Minister also refuted claims that the medical assistance provided by the Cubans was a form of human trafficking.  

“The Heads of Government rejected the statement that this health assistance given by the Cubans was a form of human trafficking.  We felt that the assistance that we were getting from Cuba, by way of medical personnel, would not be considered to be human trafficking of any form,” Mr. Skerrit emphasized.

shamkoe.pile@barbados.gov.bb