Some Jamaican students leave Cuba amid fuel crisis, gov’t monitoring situation

JAMAICA GLEANER- A handful of Jamaican students have left Cuba amid displacement arising from the fuel crisis in that country, with others being encouraged to assess their situation, Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith said on Tuesday.

Johnson Smith told a post-Cabinet press briefing that there are approximately 320 Jamaican students studying in Cuba, 44 of whom are beneficiaries of the Jamaica/Cuba scholarship programme.

The others in Cuba are self-funded students.

Cuba has been struggling with a fuel crisis arising from recent sanctions imposed by the United States, which restrict countries from supplying the island with oil.

Johnson Smith said the Jamaican students in Cuba have indicated that over the past few weeks their classes have been disrupted, either temporarily suspended or moved online.

She said at least one school under the scholarship programme has stopped classes, affecting six scholarship students.

She added that they are awaiting information on when classes will resume.

Further, Johnson Smith said 13 privately funded students have returned to Jamaica due to the situation in Cuba, noting that the shortage of fuel has disrupted daily life in the country, including access to food, medical supplies and transportation.

Noting that the Cuban authorities have advised the aviation industry that there is not enough fuel for airplanes to refuel on the island, the foreign minister said students have been encouraged to assess their situation, consult with parents or guardians as well as their schools, and decide what is best.

“It is very unfortunate that the students are adversely affected, a programme which has been working well for students across the Caribbean for some time. But we understand that the prevailing intent and the drive among the majority of the student body at this time is for the continuation of their studies.”

Johnson Smith said the foreign affairs ministry has been receiving and reviewing daily updates from Jamaica’s embassy in Havana, which has been in contact with Cuba’s foreign ministry.

She added that students have been reaching out to seek guidance and share their situation, noting that a WhatsApp group has been established with the more than 300 students in Cuba to facilitate contact and access.

Johnson Smith said students have been encouraged to consult with their institutions about their academic programmes and how the current issues may impact their studies, as well as to speak with their families.

She further said students have been encouraged to make preparations for emergency departure, should the need arise.

From a Government standpoint, she said Cabinet on Monday discussed the situation in Cuba and what assistance could be provided to students on the Jamaica/Cuba scholarship programme for the continuation of their studies if there is disruption on a prolonged or significant basis.

Along with those discussions, Johnson Smith said Jamaica has reached out to Cuba’s foreign ministry to obtain information regarding the transcripts of students who may wish to leave and continue their studies elsewhere.

While a formal response is pending, she said informal communication has indicated that students would need to engage their schools directly on the matter.

She added that consular services continue to be offered at the embassy in Havana.

The foreign affairs minister said Jamaica continues to monitor the situation in Cuba and will provide updates.

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