CARICOM-Cuba Day: A Celebration of Solidarity and Friendship
A Brief History
On December 8th, 2002, CARICOM and Cuba inaugurated CARICOM-Cuba Day to commemorate 30 years since Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago established diplomatic ties with Cuba. Despite being an international pariah at the time, these four Caribbean countries, along with Mexico, were the only ones to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba.
Deepening Cooperation
Over the years, the bilateral relationship between CARICOM Member States and Cuba has grown stronger, spanning cooperation in agriculture, education, energy, and health. In 2023, at the 8th CARICOM-Cuba Summit in Barbados, key decisions were made, including an invitation for Cuba to join the Ministerial Task Force on Agriculture and the establishment of a food terminal to guarantee a steady flow of food items.
Scholarships and Medical Cooperation
Cuba offered 20 scholarships to Saint Kitts and Nevis for the 2024 academic year, including seven in Medicine, seven in Nursing, and one in Health Technology. This is a testament to the strong bond between both countries.
International Support for Cuba
On November 2nd, 2023, CARICOM countries supported the UN General Assembly Resolution to end the economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba, reiterating the call to end this practice, which continues to cause hardship for Cubans both inside and outside of Cuba.
Conclusion
Saint Kitts and Nevis joins its fellow CARICOM Member States and Cuba in celebrating CARICOM-Cuba Day, a celebration of the long-standing and thriving friendship between the two sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is CARICOM-Cuba Day?
A: CARICOM-Cuba Day is an annual celebration commemorating the establishment of diplomatic ties between CARICOM Member States and Cuba.
Q: What is the history of Caribbean-Cuba relations?
A: The four Caribbean countries (Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago) were the only countries in the Western Hemisphere to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba, which was an international pariah at the time.
Q: What are the areas of cooperation between CARICOM and Cuba?
A: The areas of cooperation include agriculture, education, energy, and health.
Q: How many scholarships does Cuba offer to Saint Kitts and Nevis?
A: Cuba offers 20 scholarships to Saint Kitts and Nevis, including seven in Medicine, seven in Nursing, and one in Health Technology.
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