US law prevents T&T from hosting Caricom-Cuba summit at Hilton

The Trinidad Hilton - US law forbids contact with Cuban government

The Government of Trinidad & Tobago cannot hold the 4th Caricom-Cuba Summit at the Trinidad Hilton because of the provisions of the Helms-Burton Act, which prevents American companies from having contact with Cubans.

As a result the government has decided that it will hold the meeting at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA).

The Hilton advised in a statement on Tuesday that it was unable to obtain a licence from the U.S. Government to host the Caricom-Cuba summit, which will be attended by Cuban President Raul Castro and several top Cuban officials.

Castro is due to arrive in Trinidad on Wednesday morning and pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the afternoon. Both leaders will hold discussions on matters of mutual interest.

At least a dozen regional leaders are also attending the talks, the first since the group met in Cuba in December 2008.

At that summit Fidel Castro was still president and Caricom awarded him  Caricom’s highest award—the order of Caricom.

The conflict over the Hilton is because the hotel is managed by the U.S. company. However the property is owned by the Government of Trinidad & Tobago.

A statement from Hilton Worldwide said as a US-based company, it is subject to US law which restricts certain activities as a result of the trade embargo with Cuba.

The statement added: “The US-Cuban assets control regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the US Department of the Treasury General prohibit US-based companies from providing any services that benefit the Cuban government unless specifically licensed.” 

Any violation would mean that the company would face significant civil and criminal penalties. 

The Helms- Burton law passed in 1996 prohibits the recognition of a transitional government in Cuba that includes Fidel or Raúl Castro and strengthens the U.S. embargo against Cuba. (Click here to read the Act)

Foreign Affairs Minister Suruj Rambachan told reporters Wednesday the government respects international law and confirmed that the summit will not be held at the Hilton. 

“In the current circumstances, NAPA has been chosen as the new venue for the opening ceremony of the summit,” he added. The entire Cuban delegation will be staying at the Kapok hotel while the Caricom delegates will be at the Hilton.