In the 1970s, the Cuban Revolution had established itself as a symbol of resistance and self-determination for many nations in the region seeking to counteract the influence of the United States.
This atmosphere of identity-seeking allowed Caribbean states to see the island not only as a neighbor, but also as a potential ally in their struggle for economic and political independence.
With that certainty, on December 8, 1972, the four English-speaking Caribbean countries—Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago—simultaneously established diplomatic relations with Cuba.
Although the formal establishment of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas took place in 1973, the exchanges and regional integration and coordination initiatives that preceded and surrounded these founding events explain why the first contacts and commitments are commemorated on this date.
From its inception, this link has challenged Washington's isolationist policy toward the island. In those early days, Caricom represented a path for Cuba to strengthen its position in the Caribbean, while member countries saw Havana as a model to follow in terms of education and health.aricom, formed in the early 1970s (consolidating Caribbean integration after previous processes), sought to assert its autonomy and diversify its external relations.
The coincidence of interests facilitated the establishment of relations on a date that both actors agreed to officially preserve.
Over time, the relationship was cemented on pillars of solidarity, cooperation, and a shared sense of the challenges they faced as Caribbean peoples, but it was not limited to diplomatic aspects alone; it expanded to areas crucial to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable future for the region.
The dispatch of Cuban doctors to various Caricom nations became a symbol of friendship. This humanistic approach, with a tangible impact on the quality of life of many Caribbean communities, further strengthened ties between Cuba and the countries of the region.
For more than 50 years of ties, the island has provided medical services in member states, as well as scholarships and free medical assistance in natural disaster situations, as was the case in Haiti, when a large number of doctors were deployed to combat the cholera epidemic in 2010.
Meanwhile, Caricom's unconditional support has been constant in all international forums against the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States on the Caribbean nation, as well as its exclusion from the list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism.
