In an article written for Pamabazuka.org last month, University of the West Indies professor Norman Girvan expresses his views on the US government disallowing a CARICOM-Cuba conference at the Trinidad Hilton in early December. He believes the US image has been tarnished. Here is the article synopsis: “Early this month, the US repaid Trinidad and Tobago’s hospitality by acutely embarrassing the Caribbean nation in the presence of regional leaders. But, as Norman Girvan reports, it was America’s image that suffered the most.”
Yet, the “outrage” by the 14 CARICOM heads of state was short-lived; there was no follow-up to their initial disapproving statement and no, the US has not apologized. There certainly hasn’t been any impact trade relations. Girvan in fact describes Trinidad & Tobago as “one of Washington’s best friends in the region.” And as for the US image in the general public, well, that is still fed by the ever endearing pop culture.
US actions are not, as Girvan described them, “Stupid, petty, vindictive, short sighted, a huge diplomatic faux pas” I think the more appropriate word might be calculated. What the US is doing is giving a hint to its disapproval of pleasant relations with Cuba (the American archnemisis). What the US did was continue to exercise its imperial power. If the US and T&T were truly friends, then T&T government officials, could have said “We are not in America and Helms-Burton (US domestic law) does not apply here. We will have the conference whether you like it or not.” But, US imperialism changes that relationship; it makes friendship beneficial only to those who have power. It says, “Keep being nice to Cuba and lose all your money.” It says, “I’m the boss.”
Zahra Gordon 
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