THE UNC SUPPORTS THE CUBAN PEOPLE, WE DO NOT SUPPORT A MILITARY DICTATORSHIP. THE CUBAN PEOPLE DESERVE DEMOCRACY Trinidad and Tobago's decision to vote against the United Nations resolution on Cuba reflects the Government's firm and unwavering commitment to democracy, freedom and the fundamental rights of all people. I have made it clear publicly that Trinidad and Tobago will not support military dictatorship in Cuba. The United States Government has been spearheading a campaign for democracy in Cuba. Secretary of State Marco Rubio @SecRubio of Cuban heritage is right, for Cuba to prosper, there must be political reforms and the democratic rights and freedoms of the Cuban people must be restored. We cannot demand democracy, free and fair elections, freedom of expression and political rights for ourselves while remaining silent when those same freedoms are denied to the Cuban people. Why should citizens of CARICOM nations enjoy the right to freely elect and change their governments while the Cuban people are denied that same democratic choice? Our position is against military dictatorship and supportive of the Cuban peoples rights to democratically elect a government of their choice. The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago empathise with their suffering and hardship. However for years the argument of compassion for the Cuban people has been manipulated to support a military totalitarian political system that denies them fundamental democratic freedoms. While the Cuban people suffer, the leaders of the Cuban regime and their families live in luxury. The exploitation of ordinary Cubans to support the lavish lives of those associated with the ruling regime has to end. We respect the sovereign right of other nations to determine their foreign policy, and we expect that same respect in return. Those persons in Trinidad and Tobago who support dictatorship in Cuba would never support it in our own country. There is nothing romantic or idealistic about dictatorship masked as a revolutionary struggle for freedom. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago stands for democracy, freedom, human dignity and the right of every citizen, including the people of Cuba, to freely determine their political future. The United National Congress commends all nations who stand in solidarity with the wonderful people of Cuba.