00:00For my own self, for the past four and a half years, I have repeated that we should work towards
00:08getting that blockade ended.
00:09In fact, just last year when I spoke at the United Nations, I again called for the end of that
00:14blockade.
00:15So I feel very gratified by it.
00:18This video of then Prime Minister Kamala Passar-Bissassar is now making the rounds on social media, prompting many to
00:26ask the following question.
00:28Having regard to the fact that the Prime Minister, when she was Prime Minister between the period 2010 to 2015,
00:35pledged her support to the Cuban government and people, what has suddenly changed?
00:47Honorable Minister.
00:48Yeah, thank you for your question, Member.
00:50Member, the Prime Minister has been on record on a number of occasions indicating that we must constantly and consistently
00:59review our foreign policy positions in an ever-dynamic, changing world.
01:06It is based upon that, and looking at the position that the Cuban people are currently faced in, with a
01:13government that is being ruled in an autocratic manner, that this is Trinidad and Tobago's position in relation to the
01:20same.
01:21Things have to change.
01:22The clip has resurfaced after Trinidad and Tobago joined the United States and 15 other countries to vote against the
01:30United Nations General Assembly resolution, which called for an end to the United States' continued embargo against Cuba.
01:39The resolution still passed, with 130 countries voting in favor, 17 against, and 25 abstaining.
01:47For those who are not aware, this annual vote in the United Nations is non-binding.
01:56UN resolutions do not, I repeat, UN resolutions do not have the legal force to compel the United States to
02:06lift its sanctions.
02:08Only the United States Congress has the constitutional authority to end sanctions on another country.
02:15But Minister Sobers says Trinidad and Tobago's vote was in defense of the people of Cuba.
02:23The ethos of our position is based on the government of Trinidad and Tobago's firm and unwavering commitment to democracy,
02:30freedom, and the fundamental rights and dignity of all people.
02:35The Honorable Prime Minister has consistently stated that it is inconsistent to demand free and fair elections, multi-party systems,
02:46and political freedoms in our own countries while remaining silent when those same rights are denied to the Cuban people.
02:56Renasa Cutting, TV6 News.
