President Obama And His Caribbean Promises

The battle to challenge President Obama for the U.S Presidency in 2012 is getting warm. Amongst those making bold declarations about defeating Obama in 2012, we also see others such as Donald Trump graciously bowing out.

I have been thinking about Obama's Presidency to date and what it has meant for the Caribbean. With my deep admiration for the intellect and accomplishments of President Obama, I have been mindful in this piece, not to allow my objectivity to be clouded when providing perspective on his policies towards the region. I have chosen to look at a few salient points and provide some views accordingly.

Let me say here that the Caribbean, by its geographical location and also by social and psychological ties, has been for years a reservoir for the consumption of American culture. I do not see this changing anytime soon. Think of it. The region consumes American television with all its cultural exports, we revel in American entertainment and entertainers and our consumer driven concept of development and progress is derived from a largely American philosophy.

In April 2009, President Obama received superstar treatment at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. He rather boldly announced that his administration intended 'to engage the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in a partnership of equals.' The stated objectives outlined by President Obama were to improve the relationship between the region and the United States that had gone slightly sour. He was also keen to improve Cuban-American relations as another of his policy shifts towards the region.

I spoke to regional Journalist, Ben Meade, who at the time worked for the Caribbean Media Corporation, covering Obama's attendance at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and also talks in Barbados between US Attorney General, Eric Holder and his CARICOM counterparts a few months later. I asked him about his impressions of Obama then, in his Administration's stated policies towards the region as compared to current evidence. He explained, "It was clear that he [Obama] was willing to have a more cordial relationship with his Caribbean neighbours than his predecessor. The fact that he was willing to meet on a bilateral level with CARICOM leaders is significant."

Meade further went on, "His announcement of aid to fight crime and the illicit drug trade was a positive step. And making the announcement to the entire summit spoke to his intentions, although the US assistance in this field is not merely goodwill. This was in an effort to curb the problems with illegal drugs ending up on US shores. The Caribbean is used mainly as the conduit to get the drugs to the US."

On the issue of deportees which Meade also covered, he had these thoughts to share, "During the meeting between Eric Holder and CARICOM Attorneys General, the issue of sending deportees to the region without the requisite support programmes was discussed. However, they talked the talk and spewed the right rhetoric but nothing concrete has come forth to date."

My personal observation beyond what Meade has put forth, is that Cuba as a Caribbean nation, has somewhat benefitted by Obama being in office. For one, there has been an easing of restrictions on remittances and also on family travel. This bodes well for many Cubans in these tough economic times. Additionally, for businesses, American based telecommunications companies are now allowed to negotiate deals directly with Cuba.

These are two positive steps which I am sure could have possibly helped to usher in some of the reform we have heard coming out of Cuba from the Castro government. I do believe that the US economic embargo on Cuba has killed and continues to stifle Cuban economic growth but I am realistic enough to recognise that Obama will not take such a bold step to push for a removal of that embargo. Congress will have to be in favour of such a move for it to even pass a vote.

I am somewhat disappointed at the Obama Administration's gestures towards Haiti. Haiti's situation is precarious. I understand that. However, the devastation from Haiti's earthquake last year still leaves the country reeling from the ensuing chaos and the Administration's decision to deport Haitian refugees back to Haiti, who had fled the ravaged country to the United States, lacked humanitarian consideration as cholera and other deadly diseases were at the time rampant.

When the crisis first struck, President Obama pledged US$100 million to Haiti. It was eventually bumped up to US$1.2 billion but six months after the crisis when refugees were still living in squalid conditions, not a dime was delivered. Ask CNN's Anderson Cooper, I watched him many a night being very vocal about this.

I furthermore understand the need for stability in Haiti but I am not so certain that a general election recently held in that country in the midst of rebuilding from that massive earthquake tragedy was the best support the U.S could have given. The political drama could have been avoided along with the loss of lives due to the elections. Haiti is still suffering to this day and the U.S is one major player who could do so much more to ease her suffering.

Obama's Caribbean policy has contained some very good points with Secretary Clinton's pledge last year to assist Caribbean governments seeking to develop greener methods of energy delivery to its populations. She stated that the Administration would work to advance sustainable energy in the Caribbean.

She said, "This is the area of the world most dependent on imported fossil fuels and suffering from the world's highest electricity rates. That's shameful in our hemisphere, and it shouldn't be. The people of the Caribbean are creative, resilient; they're able to lead the way in new forms of energy, and we want to be a partner."

Secretary Clinton confirmed that the Administration would provide a grant to the Organization of American States (OAS) to "lend technical and legal expertise to any Caribbean country seeking to help get clean energy projects off the ground. This is encouraging news that should reap benefits for many Caribbean countries.

Obama may not have all the answers on domestic policy, international policy and much less so US/Caribbean policy but the evidence shows that the bag is mixed as to how much his Administration has done to impact development in the Caribbean.. Still MNI Alive wishes President Obama well throughout the remainder of his historic Presidency.

Jeevan Robinson is Editor-in-Chief of MNI Alive. He can be contacted at jeevan@mnialive.com