Manley's outrage over US embargo on Cuba

News on Wednesday that the United States and Cuba are about to commence formal negotiations aimed at restoring full diplomatic relations between the two nations is being welcomed around the world, including Jamaica.

Jamaica was one of several English speaking Caribbean countries which defied American sentiments in the early 1970s and established diplomatic ties with the Communist nation, then led by the charismatic revolutionary, Fidel Castro.

A source of political division at home then, Prime Minister Michael Manley stood firm in his assertion that the relations between Jamaica and Cuba were based on principles of national sovereignty and mutual respect. He also had many harsh words for the American Government at the time regarding the economic embargo imposed on Cuba.

In a 1996 interview with Earl Moxam, Manley, then in retirement (and only a few months before his death), remained defiant in his support of Cuba, and was particularly strong in his condemnation of the embargo.

“They have no right, whatsoever, and they will never have the right to do to Cuba what they do!” he declared.

The embargo “and the way they treat Cuba, frankly is an international outrage, and nothing will ever stop it being an outrage,” he added.

You may click on the audio icon above for an excerpt from that interview, in which Mr. Manley elaborated on his personal friendship with Fidel Castro, among other issues.