Parliament debates Cuban embargo

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Phillip Paulwell says he hopes whoever emerges President of the United States of America after next month’s elections, will deal decisively with lifting the decades-old embargo on Cuba.

Paulwell was contributing to a debate on a resolution brought by government MP Anthony Hylton for the lifting of the embargo.

Hylton said the embargo remains despite expectations by the international community that Barack Obama’s accession to the presidency would have brought about fundamental change in the blockade policy against Cuba.

He stressed that the embargo infringes on the sovereignty of the Cuban nation, damaging the country’s social and economic life, and must be brought to an end.

In the meantime, opposition member Pearnel Charles said the passage of resolutions by the Parliament have not reaped much rewards.

He suggested that the Jamaican government partner with other Caribbean countries and friends of Cuba with a view of petitioning the US government on the matter.

It is the fourth consecutive year that the Parliament is debating a resolution for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the US on Cuba.

The parliament has supported the resolution on all occasions.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com