Flip flop on Cuba issue — Shamshun Mohamed — Opinion

Flip flop on Cuba issue

March 11, 2026·1 min read

Dear Editor,

The columnist asked the pertinent and perplexing question: “who is ‘we’ “? (KN Mar 9).

The question was asked in relation to perceived to opposing stance taken regarding Cuba, at the just concluded HOGS in St Kitts^[1] on one hand, and an interview given by a sitting head of Caricom state^[2], on the other hand.

The stark ‘status quo cannot remain’ comment, as pointed out, collides with the much more neutral, collective approach outlined in the St Kitts statement^[3]. All that can be said about this apparent flip flop on a sensitive issue is depending where the comments emanate from the Cuba issue will be subject to this type of mixed signals commentary. It’s all about the image in a world gone mad.

Regards,
Shamshun Mohamed

References

CARICOM Leaders Conclude Summit with Focus on Security, Integration and Global Partnerships | The St Kitts Nevis Observer — www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com ↩
Ali says there must be changes in Cuba to ensure democracy - Stabroek News — www.stabroeknews.com ↩
COMMUNIQUE - Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM |24 -27 February 2026 - CARICOM — caricom.org ↩

Other references

CARICOM Leaders Conclude Summit with Focus on Security, Integration and Global Partnerships | The St Kitts Nevis Observer

www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com · 2026-03-02

* Breaking News * Local News * Regional/International News ... * Contact * Archives ** Search St Kitts and Nevis Observer News ** ** Tuesday, March 3, 2026 **Facebook **X **Youtube St Kitts and Nevis Observer News Powered by the Tomorrow.io Weather API ** ** * Home * [ News Categories ... ### Great Britain: UK Sets Sights On £40 Billion Satellite Communications Market With Fresh Investment ... **** * Local News * Regional # CARICOM Leaders Conclude Summit with Focus on Security, Integration and Global Partnerships By Web Editor - March 2, 2026 ** Facebook ** X ** Pinterest ** WhatsApp ** Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew - Advertisement - Caribbean leaders concluded a historic gathering in Basseterre this week after four days of high-level discussions aimed at strengthening regional security, accelerating integration, and deepening international partnerships during the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Held from February 24–27 under the theme*“Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving, Sustainable CARICOM,”*the milestone summit marked five decades of regular consultations among the region’s leaders, and highlighted renewed urgency in addressing crime, economic resilience, climate change, and geopolitical instability. Hosted under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew, the meeting brought together heads of government, senior officials, and international partners at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and the Marriott Dome in Frigate Bay. Attendance was notably high, with 95 per cent of CARICOM leaders present, underscoring the significance of the ... In his opening address, Dr Drew urged regional leaders to move beyond declarations and deliver concrete results for ... **A DEFINING MOMENT FOR CARICOM** The golden anniversary gathering has been widely viewed as a defining moment for CARICOM, offering an opportunity to reaffirm the region’s unity and chart a course forward amid an increasingly complex global environment. With rising security threats, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical shifts affecting the Caribbean, leaders emphasized ... - Advertisement - Local News * CSS and GSS Set for Showdown at BON High Schools ChampionshipMarch 3, 2026 * Landmark desalination plant to deliver 24-hour water to majority of St KittsMarch 3, 2026 * Rodney Baptiste Ordered to Pay $60,000 After Fatal Driving IncidentMarch 3, 2026 * Man Faces Multiple Charges in St. KittsMarch 3, 2026 * ... Front Page, 27th, February, 2026 READ THE PRINT EDITION OF THE OBSERVER! ... St Kitts and Nevis Observer News The Nation's #1** #### Links * Back to Top ... ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY # Destiny An Exciting Opportunity for Nevisians Nevisians,

Sources

Flip flop on Cuba issue in Kaieteur News, March 11, 2026
Flip flop on Cuba issue in Stabroek News, March 12, 2026

COMMUNIQUE - Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM |24 -27 February 2026 - CARICOM

caricom.org · 2026-03-01

] Tumblr Pinterest Reddit Skype WhatsApp Share via Email Print COMMUNIQUE The Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis, from 24 – 27 February, under the chairmanship of the Honourable Dr Terrance Drew, Prime Minister. Members of the Conference in attendance were: Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister, Antigua and Barbuda; Honourable Philip Davis, Prime Minister, The Bahamas; Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister, Barbados; Honourable John ... The Opening Ceremony was held at The Mariott Dome on Tuesday 24 February. Guests were warmly welcomed by the two CARICOM Youth Ambassadors from St Kitts and Nevis. The event featured cultural items and presentations from the Chair, the Outgoing Chair, new Heads of Government and the CARICOM Secretary-General. In her remarks, the Secretary-General urged the Region to take advantage of the tangible opportunities which the shifting global order presents. “As new markets emerge and strategic partnerships are recalibrated, CARICOM must engage ... EXTERNAL TRADE ... engagement, during the conference. BID TO HOST COP 35 Heads of Government agreed to support Guyana’s bid to host COP35 in 2030. FORTHCOMING SUMMITS INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY CARICOM will utilise upcoming Summits in 2026 to advance critical regional priorities, including the Twenty-eighth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) – Antigua and Barbuda, 1- 4 November 2026. APPRECIATION Heads of Government expressed their gratitude to the Government and people of St Kitts and Nevis for the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting, and the warm hospitality they received. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Heads of Government accepted the invitation of the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia to the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference from 5 – 8 July 2026. STATEMENT Heads of Government issued the following Statement: JOINT STATEMENT ON CARICOM’S ENGAGEMENT WITH SECRETARY RUBIO The Heads of State and Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community met on 25 February with the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Marco Rubio. The engagement was a highly constructive one with a frank conversation regarding the essential interests of all parties. Given the strong historical, diplomatic, familial and economic ties and cooperation over the years in matters of security,

Ali says there must be changes in Cuba to ensure democracy - Stabroek News

www.stabroeknews.com · 2026-03-08

Ali says there must be changes in Cuba to ensure democracy - Stabroek News Stabroek News ... Log in for full access to stabroeknews.com. You can also post comments, and manage your email subscription. Keep me logged in. (Uncheck if you are using a shared device). Lost your password? Login ... # Ali says there must be changes in Cuba to ensure democracy Irfaan Ali Irfaan Ali By Stabroek News March 8, 2026 President Irfaan Ali yesterday agreed that there must be changes in Cuba to ensure democracy following United States (US) President Donald Trump’s announcement at the Shield of Americas meeting of sweeping economic and diplomatic moves in Latin America among which will be potential shifts in Washington’s relations with Havana. (See other story on page 5.) Pointing to the recent Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis, where “many discussions” were held with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that included Cuba, Ali said that the regional bloc had agreed then to transition change. “We all agreed that the status quo cannot remain. We agree that there must be an attempt to have the status quo change and we are all aware that it will take time. It has to be implemented. There must be dialogue, but those changes must lead to the improvement of the people of Cuba. It must lead to better conditions for the people of Cuba, must lead to a society in which the rule of law, in which democracy, in which freedom is celebrated,” the President said during an interview with Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie, on the sidelines of the Shield of the Americas Summit held yesterday at a golf ... Trending 1. ## Local banks working to be ready for national payment platform – Ganga ... ## Gov’t willing to recruit overseas workers for mining sector – Ali 5. ## Ali says there must be changes in Cuba to ensure democracy 6. ... ## Primus: WIN has not done contingency planning in case of possible extradition of Mohamed ... ### Gov’t willing to recruit overseas workers for mining sector – Ali 23 h ago ... 23 h ago Comments Related Coverage ### Guyana, T&T MoU aims to upturn status quo May 23, 2022 ### In diplomatic shift, Europe seeks improved ties with Cuba January 31,