Remarks by CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett at a Cuba-CARICOM Day Celebration | 9 December 2024 | Havana, Cuba

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana, 10 December 2024) - CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett is on a three-day official visit to Cuba, 9-11 December, to participate in the International Conference 2024-Decade of Afro-descendants and several high-level meetings with representatives of the Government of Cuba.

On Monday, Dr Barnett delivered remarks at the plenary session of the Conference and at an event in Celebration of Cuba-CARICOM Day, 52 years of Friendship and Mutual Support. Please see below, Dr Barnett's remarks at the Cuba-CARICOM Day event.

Please allow me to stand on the protocol that has been established and simply say that I am delighted and honoured to be here in Havana and to join with diplomatic envoys and representatives from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), as well as our friends from the Republic of Cuba and representatives from the wider diplomatic community here in Cuba, to deliver remarks at this event, commemorating the Fifty-Second Anniversary of the first establishment of diplomatic relations between CARICOM and Cuba.

Allow me, at the outset, to express solidarity with our sister nation, Cuba, which has been adversely affected by recent hurricanes and an earthquake. These natural disasters have tested the resilience of the Government and People of Cuba. The Caribbean Community extends its heartfelt condolences and support following the destruction and loss of life experienced. These events underscore the necessity for us to remain committed to working together to address the challenges posed by climate change, and to support each other in times of need.

Fifty-two years ago, the foundation was laid for a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between CARICOM and Cuba. It is noteworthy that over the course of five decades, this relationship has grown in strength and stature, being formally underpinned by Technical Cooperation Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding.

Our collaboration is not merely symbolic. CARICOM and Cuba, through a partnership based on mutual respect, independence and sovereignty, have built a strong and lasting relationship allowing for concrete actions to be taken for the betterment of our peoples.

This exemplary model of South-South cooperation originated in 1972, with the bold move by four newly independent Caribbean nations - Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago to forge diplomatic ties with Cuba. They did so in the face of difficult global tensions solidifying a commitment to regional partnership. This commitment continues to endure.

Over the years, the CARICOM-Cuba relationship has grown stronger, and has ventured into areas of cooperation that have taken into account changes in our political, social, cultural, and economic environments. We have also witnessed a significant increase in collaboration between our institutions, especially in disaster risk management, climate change responses, tourism, trade and investment, and health.

The strength of our relationship was amply demonstrated by Cuba's actions during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide healthcare workers to smaller Caribbean nations. On behalf of the Caribbean Community, I express our sincere appreciation to the Government of Cuba for that timely and fraternal gesture, and once again thank Cuba for its unwavering support to CARICOM.

Our engagement with Cuba at high political levels, including most recently the CARICOM-Cuba Summit in December 2022, reinforces the benefits of collaboration. CARICOM continues to stand with Cuba in calling for an end to its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, and for the lifting of the egregious and archaic embargo imposed on Cuba and its people. These expressions of solidarity and comradeship were reaffirmed by the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in a Statement issued at its Forty-Seventh Meeting held in July, in Grenada. The Chairman of CARICOM, Hon Dickon Mitchell of Grenada, reiterated these sentiments in his statement issued to commemorate the 52nd Anniversary of diplomatic relations between CARICOM Member States and Cuba.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, as we mark this anniversary, we celebrate a truly exceptional friendship that has withstood the test of time and the complexities of regional and international geopolitics.

We also continue to work together in institutions, such as the Association of Caribbean States, the Community of Latin Americas and Caribbean States, and the United Nations, allowing us to effectively champion our shared priorities and to have a greater impact on the global stage. Our CARICOM people continue to benefit from Cuba in health, scholarships, medicines and in other areas. As such, CARICOM countries remain willing to support Cuba, whenever possible.

On behalf of the Caribbean Community, I extend best wishes to the Government and People of Cuba. May our cooperation and friendship continue to grow from strength to strength. Viva Cuba! Viva CARICOM!

Muchisimas gracias - Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.