ON THE OCCASION OF THE CUBA-CARICOM DAY
On December 8th, 2009 Cubans together with the Caribbean people will again celebrate Cuba-CARICOM Day. This will be the 37th anniversary of the joint decision by Barbados, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Jamaica and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba. This brave political decision, taken in 1972 by those newly independent countries in a climate of hostility and enormous pressures, was a breach in the isolation imposed on Cuba through the OAS. Years later, other Caribbean states became independent and also established relations with Cuba. Cuba will never forget this noble gesture on the part of its Caribbean brothers.
The celebration of December 8th, as the Cuba-CARICOM Day, was agreed by the Heads of State and/of Government of Cuba and the CARICOM member states at the First Summit held in Havana in December 2002. They also decided, from that moment on, to hold Summit meetings every three years to commemorate such an important date. The Second and Third Summits were held in Bridgetown, Barbados (2005) and Havana, Cuba (2008), respectively. At this Third Summit, the Honorary Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC) was presented to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro.
The Cuba-CARICOM Summits are events of paramount significance, for they have become a space for reflection and decision-making at the highest level towards developing deeper relations and strengthening cooperation and solidarity between Cuba and the Caribbean nations.
Cuba has Embassies in the 14 independent CARICOM member countries. Likewise, 11 member countries of that organization maintain a diplomatic representation in Cuba. Barbados and Suriname will be soon opening their Diplomatic Missions in Havana.
Since 1972 to date, Cuba has supported its Caribbean brother’s efforts aimed at consolidating their regional integration, and Cubans have been ready to offer our modest cooperation in the areas where this has been possible.
Over the years, more than 3 500 professionals from CARICOM countries have graduated in Cuba, including nearly 600 Jamaicans (mostly university graduates). At present, around 3 000 Caribbean youths from all of the region’s countries, including a number close to 300 Jamaicans, are studying in Cuban universities.
More than 1000 Cuban health collaborators are presently working in Caribbean countries, including an 89-member medical brigade in Jamaica. More than 40 Cubans are currently rendering their services in the Jamaican educational system.
The Miracle Eye Operation programme has benefited thousands of Caribbean patients. Since 2005, more than 50 000 Jamaicans have been screened under that program, while more than 5 000 patients have had eye surgery free of charge.
Similarly, Cuba has set up 5 fixed or mobile ophthalmologic units in the
Caribbean fitted with equipment donated by Cuba and Cuban human resources: 2 in Haiti, 1 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 1 in Grenada and 1 in Suriname. Another ophthalmology centre will be soon established in Kingston and it is expected to provide services to Jamaicans and other CARICOM nationals.
Cuba praises the firm stance of the CARICOM member countries against the unjust US blockade against Cuba and their demand for the unconditional lifting of that five-decade old set of unilateral coercive measures, just as they have been expressing in various regional and international organizations, including the recent voting in favour of the relevant resolution at the 64º UNGA in New York.
Cuba was received 37 years ago, with an embrace of solidarity by its
Caribbean brothers and sisters. The peoples of the Caribbean Community will always be able to count on Cuba’s respect and friendship.
