Dominica has made another call for the United States of America to lift its trade blockade on Cuba.
The most recent appeal came from Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, when he addressed the Labour Party Delegates Conference on Sunday.
While noting Dominica’s long-term relations with Cuba, Skerrit said Dominica will continue to stand by its “old friend.”
He described the trade embargo on Cuba is “an unjust blockade that must be removed at all costs”.
“We’ll continue to stand firmly with the Cuban people and government who have been willing benefactors to us in the areas of health care and training of our nationals,” Skerrit said.
The United States embargo against Cuba is a commercial, economic, and financial embargo partially imposed on Cuba in October 1960. It was enacted after Cuba nationalized the properties of United States citizens and corporations and it was strengthened to a near-total embargo since February 7, 1962.
who wrote this article? this is a serious question
The reaction of those against the pm’s call is too negative.had it been a call from a world leader,the pope,dahilalama,a caribbean personality u would not say anything.cuba offers scholarships, while US comes at the back like a big bad wolf and drain the caribbean of it’s intellectuals.Skerrit offends no one in this call.50 years of political hatred.and u telling me Jah bless U.S.all u christians tell them time is now for a change.countries that hurt u.s.the most are now their friends.just because david defied goliath,up till now this is a bitter pills to swallow.Jah bless the caribbean.
Skerritt,and his DLP Govt. refuse to carry out ELECTORAL REFORM. Call to US re. Cuba but our pressing internal matter, NO CALL? 7 YEARS now since the ‘INDEPENDENT’ ELECTORAL COMMISSION recommended to Govt. for making some changes to our election process to ensure FREE and FAIR elections in Dominica. VOTER ID CARDS, CLEANING UP the VOTERS’ LIST which has many dead people name on it. Refusing to correct those things are recipes for FRAUD.
So everything is OK? All over the world citizens are protesting, demanding FREE and FAIR elections and for GOOD GOVERNANCE. Dominicans MUST demand that Skerritt and his DLP Govt. respond positively to the genuine and correct requests from their Electoral Commission. Why the stubbornness? Why isn’t Skerritt and Govt. not listening to the cries of the Commission and the Dominican people? Why would we not want FREE and FAIR ELECTIONS in Dominica? WHY? WHY? WHY?
Frankly what is the problem in giving the Commission the FUNDS to do its job of conducting future elections properly? The CONSTITUTION, the ELECTORAL LAWS give the Electoral Commission the RIGHT to request and receive funds for producing the VOTER ID CARDS and other necessary things. Dominicans should we wait until there are more fraud and unfair tactics and bad elections which may end up in unnecessary confusion and enmity? Is that what we in Dominica want? aren’t we peaceful people? Shouldn’t we do things to ensure that we remain peaceful, loving citizens?
FAIRPLAY is always better than CHEATING. The above-Mentioned things are what should be occupying our minds in Dominica as well as doing all that is needed to improve our economy, and social/cultural standards so that our lives could be much better.
I think that Dominica needs to stay in their lane and we’ll stay in ours. How in the world can anyone call for the american government to do anything, especially afireign country. They may see the short term benefits but i believe that we seethe long term benefits and we are doing what’s right for our country. Our constitution encourages liberty, freedom and justice for all, Cuba has not effectively showed any of these practice. How would we look if we didn’t encourage what we preached?
Patriotic your pressure go up.you think th u.s.is the only to give advice?we will stay in our lane but they too.if u feel DA too low to give U.S.advice stay put.do your homework.the world knows US is sly.piti koute gwan,gwan koute piti.advice can come fr6 both sides.
Why do we always put down our own? Our country is a member of the United Nations and we have a right to make demands, especially with regards to injustice. Where would South Africa and Nelson Mandela be if we did not demand an end to apartheid? We pretend that we support the Egyptian revolution while we attack the Cuban revolution. The US embargo is a reminder of the ruthlessness of racist America. They collaborated with racist South Africa to imprison Mandela, murdered Steve Biko, massacred civilians in Soweto, criminally drowned Vietnam with poisonous chemicals and fought against every former colony that waged a national liberation struggle for independence. They also assassinated Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X.
Mr. Prime Minister, let your voice be heard. You are doing the right thing. To cut it short I will end with three famous quotes.
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing,” Edmund Burke.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Martin Luther King Jr (MLK JR).
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” MLK Jr.
One of the priorities of the process of change undertaken by Cuban President Raúl Castro is apparently curbing corruption, which threatens to undermine the country from the inside. Shouldn’t those in authority do the same?
Is there the political will to do that?
The Cuban president said that the Comptroller General’s Office would play an essential role in controlling and overseeing government spending, and would decisively crack down on “any form of corruption,” while tackling “the causes and conditions that can lead to negligent or criminal behaviour by any government leader or functionary.”
There must be oversight of public assets, funds and resources. We need in Dominica to do things in a transparent manner. Dominicans must hold their respective leaders, politicians and workers in both public and private sectors accountable for wrongdoings. Our institutions are letting the people down by reneging on their responsibilities and roles.
The phenomenon of corruption is rampant. All over the world Citizens are demanding that their Govt. come clean. They are protesting against BAD GOVERNANCE, CORRUPTION in GOVT., for FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, for people’s PARTICIPATION in the affairs of their country, for EQUALITY and FREEDOM.
All over the world people are exercising their RIGHTS to PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY. Some in authority, given what is happening in the Arab countries are now calling for LEADERS to listen to the concerns of the people.
How long now are Dominicans pleading for ELECTORAL Reform. 7 years now. Who is not listening to their cries? Who is not listening to the cries of the people for our Laws to be respected especially by those in ‘HIGH PLACES’? Who is not listening to the concerns of the people that corruption in Public Office must stop? Who is listening to the Farmers to invest much more in Agriculture? The world is now experiencing major FOOD CRISES. The list of concerns goes on and on and on. Who is not listening? Workers and all citizens must press for their right to discuss the use of public resources and that public bodies have the obligation to report incidents and take the necessary steps to curb corrupt practices. Those are the things we need to talk about and address.
YOU MADE THE CALL AT YOUR DELEGATES CONFERENCE? MR PM WHO HEARD YOU? IN SOME BACK BUSH IN DOMINICA YOU’RE NOT SERIOUS, GO TO VENEZUELA AND SHOUT IT OUT .
PM stay away from that and mind your business do make things harder on us,don’t try to be NO hero. you are not no hero start cleaning your back yard first ok.
That is called standing for justice! I agree with that statement, America and it’s zionist regime must stop policing the world and mind it’s own business. DOWN WITH AMERICA!!!
like the U.S need you. what kind of muslim you are big foot.
@ Anonymous: I said DOWN with America, we will bring America to it’s knees, look at it’s recession! We will continue to wage jihad against America until it comes crumbling down. Afghanistan will continue to be your graveyard. DEATH TO AMERICA
It is high time for America to stop it’s arrogance and lift the embargo off Cuba. Simply because Cuba doesn’t want to embrace your ideals, you place an embargo on them for almost 50 years now? This is rubbish! But it good for Cuba because they should not have allowed Guantanamo Bay there in the first place. DOWN WITH AMERICA
DOWN WITH COMMUNISM 
DOWN WITH CAPITALISM 
DOWN WITH ZIONISM AND ISRAHELL 
HAIL TO ISLAM, VIVA ISLAM
first of all we are midning our own business, we can prevent trading or whatever else to who ever we want. You guys arethe one interfering in what’s going on, calling on us to lift an embargo. I think y’all have alot of issues to deal with first before stepping up to anyone.
muslim, you are not a good person. you keep talking hate, how do you sleep if there is so much hate in your heart. is people like you that make the muslim people look bad. you are a fake one
Instead of the PM worrying about trade embago for Cuba they should look into making our healthcare system less of a Joke. A man go to the hospital with a stomach ache he come out with one foot. A lady had a migraine tghe take out her two good tete saying she have breast cancer. This is what he need to focus on not america business. Who is skerit for america to pay attention to. He good with chavez make him give dominica some free energy package or something, Dominica is small chavez can afford it. Also they need to put more restrictions on Non-dominicans buying our land. Those are the things they need to worry about and finding partners internationally to help with our non-existent agricultural and manufacturing sectors, tourism alone niot going to cut it for D/Ca. We Need To Produce SOMETHING AND FIND SOMEBODY TO BUY IT!
Didn’t you read hat they going ti build a state of the art hospital? And Dominica has loads of doctors who are now specialising overseas and they must come back home too so I guess hats perfect timing for them
who the p.m think he is to give the U.S orders. i like him a lot. but he needs to know his little place. why don’t he control Dominica high crime rate, before he starts putting his nose where it dose not belong.
Phyllis your comment rings truth, he needs to do something about Dominica high crime rate.before he starts giving orders.
Phyllis you said it right. Who does this man think he is, giving the US orders. He can’t even control his own party but he is trying to stick his nose where it does not belong. I wonder if he is trying to give Chavez orders also. Man keep your nose where it should be.
thank you concern Dominican i even forget about Chavez’s, yes P.M what about dictator Chavez’s. your best friend, it seems you want to become like him in control, but there is no way you will come close to controlling the U.S.please keep your focus on DOMINICA.
Phyllis people like u so who have no respect for others.just go into peoples country and destabilise their peace and when they react u call foul.Bush had no respect for the call against the invasion of iraq.
first of all your spelling is bad, did you published your own dictionery? what word is this , wong ping your name sound like you in round side. figure it out. yes people like me who will keep the blog busy.
Garson look jokes, look now Skerrit giving America orders!! Man you have guts!
I think the issue should be negotiating for trade opportunities for Dominica
hasn’t Obama already loosened the embargo?
PM no disrespect intended but why are you focusing on other peoples problems when we have so many right here. Call me selfish but I think we should be concentrating on our own economy just a little bit more since Cuba poor as it is Still has one of the best healthcare training systems in the world
I am a proud Dominican – not a lobourite, and I don’t think USA is too big for the PM to express his views to the President and people of the USA. He is not giving the USA orders. Doesn’t the US has its own problems (all sorts of crimes, financial problems etc)? And doesn’t the USA tell other countries what actions they should take? The only thing I see wrong with what the PM said was the forum – he can’t say that in a meeting in Grandbay – maybe he was just saying what he thinks the US should do, or what he plans to do. As to whether the USA will listen or furthermore take action base on the the PM said, I will be impressed. But you never know- what the PM said could initiate something. Ordinary people like me and you can express that view to.
I live in the US. There are quite a bit of Americans that really don’t care about lifting the embargo. I for one, think it is time to, I think it is a viable market for the US – it just makes sense.
Cuba is the one helping D/ca with healthcare he better know what he is doing.
If the Prime Minister really wants his call to be heard he needs to do like Jerry Brisbane and write to the president of the US. Making that call in a DLP function will go nowhere. Skerrit is just playing on the minds of people and does not expect to accomplish anything. Good leg break skerro but you pitched it too wide down the legside. Try to get a little closer to the bat and most likely you will get the edge
Puttin all politics aside. I support dat
I don’t see why people think Skerrit cannot speak to Obama and the rest of the American gov. He is a leader too right? Is America some big bad wolf? Isn’t everyone trying to do what is best for their family interest? And obama has already pledged to Cuba. Stated he wants to lift the ban. I think Skerrit making a good move. It’s just like the china scenario. America does business with them already so why can’t we? China borrows money to America and Britain every year but then Dca get involved and it’s a bad move? import export and tourism links along with better cheaper flights is a huge possibility with Cuba bk in the game
Meant to say for their country interest there.
Thank u Truth.
America has always this stupid policiy of blocking those they can’t control.telling people how to behave whilst disrespecting peoples fundamental rights.the indian descendants,u beleive the white u.s.man respect him?no.there should be an embargo on them too.they are not invincible.the biggest liars and thieves
I can’t understand how Dominicans love America so much. America is giving practically nothing to us. They suck our blood regarding chikita, you have to beg like a dog for a visa. America is a sick place, I do not understand why Dominicans in their right senses want to live in America?
Many of their towns are filthy, recycled sh*t water, every couple seconds a murder, rape or some kind of heinous crime is committed. Clothes and food are cheap but rent and the general cost of living is extremely high. The rich get richer and the poor gets poorer. In the winter months it’s very horrible except if you live in Florida.
Majority of Dominicans who have moved up there have regretted. It is their pride and arrogance that’s why they wouldn’t come back home. They will babysit people children up here but will never do it at home. They will do all kinds of things in these big places but they will never do it home. They say that ‘people will talk,’ it is sad how a low self esteem our people have.
Most Dominicans in North America and Europe are living from hand to mouth, trapped in the system. They work two and three odds jobs just to get by.
It is time for Dominicans to be more connected with home affairs. Their heart must always be home, it’s not only sending barrels, visiting and blinging their gold and diamonds creating a fake impression! When Egyptians were protesting, we saw many Egyptians and arabs across the world protesting as well. How many Dominicans are living outside, how many of them ever protest for or against anything at home? Have we ever gone on CNN or BBC? Nope!
Lastly, our people at home are too partisian in their politics and religion. Dominicans need to get off their hypocrisy and little box and start holding informative referandums so that they can discuss the issues that tackles them and a way forward, this will allow the government to see effectively what the people want and they will be forced to perform as they want to score political points.
In the US one can babsit people children and make enough money to build a nice house back home, can they do the same in DA? I doubt. It all comes down to the $’s my friends.
Rubbish! How many people living in the US have actually built homes here? Americans tax the very air you breathe in. You don’t think, you’re making the money but it is taxed considerably!
I advise you to do a bit of basic economics and you will see where I am coming from. What is the logic in making the $$ but in actuality you have no real spending power. If you are in the US ILLEGICALLY, you take a babysitting job then you may stand a chance if you are living in or you are by your family. On the other hand, start renting and paying bills and you will find out.
Dominicans need to think and stop allowing America to consume their minds. We have the nature isle of the Caribbean. We can make money here, we just need to stand up to our governments, put pressure on them because there are many millionaires hoarding money. Our finance is poorly managed and distributed.
stop being bias people,Cuba is part of the Caribbean,i think America should grow the hell up and take it off.i hate America policies they are thinking is they that in charge of the world hell no take it out.
why they them selfs not trying to free themself like tunisie and egyp ,no removing of embargo unless people a free.
silly silly linky. America is a hypocrite. America owes more than half of its budget to debt to the chinese and the chinese people are not free…
skerro i think u r serious with ur statement but u playing chicken,,, fox news not even gonna air that,,,, u want mr obama to hear u then call in on cnn or fox news,,,,, when u go to the u.s do a stop to one of their production studios then they’ll take u serious,,,
if you so love cuba why you don”t go and live with them.
.. i smeelll……..cia…fbi…..secret service skeerit wants to involve in something that older than himm go ahead…skerrit
Obama has opened ties with Cuba remember? He wants to lift it but it has to go through the works. I personally think it is a good move
Easy when you think of it superficially…but, Caribbean tourism industry would be decimated the moment that happens. The small islands cannot possibly compete with Cuba’s tourism product. But, indeed, that economic embargo is now redundant.
i support that call, but boy skero are you really trying to speak to the american government,or you just playing politics.with what america have on it’s plate taking place in the middle east, you think america will pay you any mind. it’s time to be diplomatic and find a way to speak to the american government on dominica’s behalf and not as an echo of another regime. try to lead and stop following.
America for America and America alone
Unfortunately I feel that the Cuban people are the ones suffering the most from this embargo. But to behonest it should not just be thrown out like it is just at the hands of the US. The Cuban Government has it’s part to play.
The enbargo was not just put in place with no reason. I think the call should be to the Cuban Government to release the people from this yolk of bondage where they are not even allowed to access the Internet or freely have phones to communicate with their families away. A call to stop paying them 20-50 pesos a month to take care of their entire family while a passport is 50 pesos, making it almost impossible for a family to affort. A call to a fair currency exchange where 100US dollars is not just 80 pesos, just to prevent the monies that are sent from families away not to be of much value.
A call to pay the professionals on the Island a fare wadge so that the docstors can serve you with a smile and desire, not being depressed and unwilling to attend give the service and attention that they should because they are wondering how are they going to make ends meet themselves and why they are not treated fairly.
To be honest I only learnt these things from a Cuban friend most recently. The people of Cuba are strong and so they press on despite the circumstance and rise above living in doom and gloom. But they have rights to. Rights to be free. I know some who have visited Cuba may not identify with what I am saying. But I dare say that it is one thing to be looking from the outside and to just be passing through than to be the one living the rest of their life even as adults without the right that an eight year old has almost the world over.
It is unfair. I call for the people of Cuba to be freed and then the US embargo to be lifted.
Some may just see this as political but to me life is not just about politics like most Dominicans make it. Supporters of the Prime Minister will view this as negative and Opposition supporters might be in support with it.
But regardless I take the neutral stand point and speak on behalf of people like my friend in Cuba who have revealed to me more than I can imagine. It just touches me and I want for them what we want for ourselves.
You’ve said well XTE. Am in full support of waht you’re saying. It should not be connected to politics.
Thanks…
You know your stuff. I like your thinking
Thank you both. Glad that there are a few that can identify with what I am saying. And it is indeed the truth. How in this day and age can you deny the right of a even a child to a full grown adult?
But the time will come when change will come and the people of Cuba will find a way to break free of this bondage. Like so many others have done and are in the process of doing. I pray that soon they will be able to leave a dream which is what so many of us are taking for granted:
“The Dream of Freedom” not just to use for political debates but for their basic rights as a people.
I stand strong in support of Caribbean brothers and sisters freedom.
Be careful what you ask for. If the embargo on Cuba is lifted, Dominica’s tourism industry finish.
I wasn’t aware that we had tourism. There is another article on tourism here. Go read the comments
WHILST YOU AT IT SKERRIT WHY DONT YOU ASK CHINA AND VENEZUELA ABOUT THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AS WELL
You should ask the US too…..you appear to know very little of what really goes on.
Ask the Alabama men about the penicillin trials more than 70 years ago.
Cuba is the missing link in the Caribbean to bring ur to the level of Europe. Personally I think it would be groundbreaking and then real money would be possible in the region
For a man who studied in America u really love Cuba papa.
It’s about time that happened anyway. Spilt milk