In the place where 26 years ago Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz inaugurated the Latin American School of Medicine—an expression of the revolutionary will to support the nations of the area in their growth for the well-being of the people— the Caribbean Community (Caricom) celebrated yesterday the 53rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, an action that broke the political isolation to which the United States had subjected the island.
On this commemoration, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, stated on his social media account: "United by Caribbean brotherhood, we continue to face common challenges together and build a future of justice and solidarity for our peoples."
The ceremony was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Inés María Chapman Waugh; Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Ambassador of Dominica and President pro tempore of the group of Caribbean ambassadors, His Excellency Ian Charles Douglas; and other members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Cuba.
In her keynote address, Inés María Chapman stated: "The friendship between Cuba and the Caribbean countries breaks the mold; we can show concrete and transformative results. More than 1,400 Cuban specialists in health, education, construction, and other sectors offer their services to our brothers and sisters in all Caricom countries, benefiting many communities."
She also expressed the "immense gratitude of the Cuban people and government to their Caribbean brothers and sisters," who have always been the first to lend a hand in the most difficult times.
For his part, the Ambassador of Dominica and pro tempore president of the group of Caribbean ambassadors, His Excellency Ian Charles Douglas, said in his speech: "This anniversary is a clear reminder of the enduring value of Caribbean solidarity. It reaffirms that cooperation, born of respect, shared struggles, and a common vision, can withstand geopolitical changes and continue to meet the needs of the people."
