Support for students

THE Government of Jamaica has pledged continued support for the roughly 270 Jamaican students still studying in crisis-hit Cuba, with Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith reaffirming the Government’s commitment to the students’ welfare. Johnson Smith told a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House Wednesday that her ministry has been closely monitoring the students who remain in Cuba, 40 of whom are sponsored by Cuban scholarships, which are supported by the Government of Jamaica, further noting that one private student has formally advised of his return home. Meanwhile, she noted that more than 65 students, including five on government scholarships, have completed their medical studies for the 2025-2026 academic year.

“Three others have indicated that they are in the process of continuing their studies elsewhere through academic transfer, and we have to caveat these numbers because we understand anecdotally that others have returned, but they have not formally notified us,” Johnson Smith said. “And this is understandable, they are there privately, and on their own steam, but just to say that we have the information...and we also have a line of communication that allows for them to not only indicate their return, but to request assistance if they so need,” said the minister. Johnson Smith noted that those students who remain are offered pathways to repatriation should they express a desire to return.

“This is because our concern remains for their safety, well-being, and academic continuity. We know that prolonged power cuts and reduced public transportation causes challenges for their way of life, and the Government has communicated our preparedness to assist with one-way return tickets should they wish to return but have a difficulty with affordability,” she said. “We continue to engage the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Health, as well as medical tertiary institutions on what, if anything, can be done for those who may wish to return and continue their studies here,” she added.

Many of the Cuban medical students have seen classes suspended or moved online with limited connectivity, as Cuba faces an ongoing energy crisis, worsened by a United States blockade on fuel shipments. The island’s fuel shortages have been triggering frequent, lengthy, and unpredictable electricity interruptions, affecting n…