US embargo on Cuba unlikely to be eased in the short term, says Stokes

 

 

Development Economist Dr. Christ Stokes does not expect the United States embargo on Cuba to be eased in the short term, despite the Democrats' gains in the US midterm elections.

 

Dr. Stokes says Jamaica and other Caribbean countries remain exposed to potential retaliation for any support they might show towards Cuba.

 

In that regard, he notes that US President Donald Trump still has the power to take punitive measures against countries in the region.

 

"Because Trump still has the big stick, there are still things he can do. And remember now, he has almost complete autonomy in international affairs," he said, suggesting that even if Congress calls him to account, this might result in retaliation.

 

"What fight does that get you into? And while that is being fought, is Jamaica willing to put up with, for example, a change in its advisories, travel advisories to Jamaica? Are we going to put up with that? Are we going to put up with visas not being issued for a year, a year and a half while this thing is debated in the US? And I'm not certain about that. Certainly in the short term, there's still additional pain that can be inflicted. And if one's moral standing is not sufficiently strong to stand up against that, I don't believe that we're going to see a lot of movement," Dr. Stokes reasoned.

 

He was speaking Wednesday on Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines with host Earl Moxam.