Cuba’s economic and humanitarian struggles dominated discussions at the opening of the regional summit in St. Kitts on Tuesday evening, where leaders from across the Caribbean and beyond gathered to address pressing issues facing the region. The island’s shortages of food, fuel, and essential services were raised repeatedly as concerns not limited to its borders.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness delivered a blunt warning about the potential ripple effects across the Caribbean. “Humanitarian suffering serves no one. Apart from our fraternal care and solidarity with the Cuban people, it must be clear that a prolonged crisis in Cuba will not remain confined to Cuba. It will affect migration, security, and economic stability across the Caribbean basin. It is, therefore, important that we carefully consider this matter and take collective action,” he said.

Holness also signaled Jamaica’s readiness to encourage dialogue between Cuba and the United States. He suggested that there may now be more opportunity than in the past for pragmatic engagement that promotes reform and stability while shielding ordinary Cubans from worsening conditions. “We believe there is space – perhaps more space now than in our past – for pragmatic engagement that protects the Cuban people from any further deterioration in their circumstances, and instead promotes national and regional prosperity,” he said.

He reminded the assembly, which included nearly every member state, representatives from Arab nations, and delegates from the Commonwealth Secretariat, of Cuba’s contributions to the region over the years. “Its people are part of our shared history. But today, the Cuban people face severe economic hardship, energy shortages, and growing humanitarian strain. Jamaica is sensitive to the struggles of the Cuban people,” Holness added.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar acknowledged the hardships facing ordinary Cubans while cautioning against support for the island’s political system. She highlighted that all attending leaders were freely elected, contrasting their democracies with the lack of political freedoms in Cuba.

Host Prime Minister Terrance Drew, who studied medicine in Cuba for seven years, spoke from personal experience. “I studied in Cuba. I lived in Cuba for seven years. I have friends there. I have people who are like family to me. They reach out to me and tell me of their difficulties. Food has become terribly scarce for some. Access to water has been challenging. Garbage fills the streets. Houses are without electricity,” he said. Drew described the situation as almost impossible to witness without feeling the weight of his friends’ struggles.

It remains uncertain whether U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a vocal critic of the Cuban government, will address the humanitarian situation during his meetings on Wednesday. Washington has pressed regional governments to limit programs and diplomatic engagement with Cuba, leaving leaders to weigh humanitarian concerns against political realities.