Gov’t Engaging Jamaican Students in Cuba Amid Humanitarian Challenges

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, says the Government is maintaining a high level of direct engagement with Jamaican students in Cuba and expressed confidence that the humanitarian challenges in the country will improve soon.

“There was a meeting between my Permanent Secretary and the Ambassador of Cuba in Kingston just yesterday, where she shared an expectation that things will improve in the next two weeks,” Senator Johnson Smith disclosed.

She was responding to questions about Jamaican students studying in Cuba, during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday (March 4).

The Minister explained that the circumstances in Cuba are unique, with students experiencing varying impacts depending on their locations and other contributing factors.

“Students are also at different stages of their studies and, accordingly, have different levels of anxiety about their circumstances weighed as against their desire to return home. So there is no homogenous sense of a desire to return,” Mrs. Johnson Smith stated.

She pointed out that a primary concern among some students has been securing their transcripts in case they need to continue their studies elsewhere.

“We have encouraged them to ask their institutions, as we have been guided by the Cuban authorities,” the Minister informed.

Meanwhile, Senator Johnson Smith noted that, at this time, no country is considering the evacuation of students from Cuba.

She pointed out that, while there are challenges with electricity in Cuba, Jamaican students, most of whom are pursuing studies in the medical field, continue to have access to power.

“We are seeking to instal a solar system at our Embassy, because the Embassy itself is severely challenged… and the staff there… I really have to express appreciation to them publicly because they are standing up under the strain,” the Minister said.

Senator Johnson Smith added that the Government has a plan in place to address the concerns of students in Cuba, noting that its implementation will depend on the evolving circumstances in the country.