Havana, 5 December 2022 (TDI): Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, First Secretary of Cuba’s Communist Party Central Committee and Cuban President is on a Caribbean tour. It includes official visits to Saint Vincent, Grenadines, and Barbados.

The Cuban President’s tour aims to further boost relations of friendship and cooperation with sister Caribbean nations.

Read also: AfriCaribbean Trade & Investment Forum 2022

Saint Vincent and Grenadines Visit

He is visiting in response to the invitation of the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves. It is the first time that a Cuban Head of State visits this Caribbean country, made up of some 33 islands and cays.

Upon his arrival in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Cuban leader toured the Argyle International Airport, which was built with Cuban assistance on the initiative of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro.

Additionally, he visited the Diagnostic and Medical Center in Georgetown. He was also accompanied by the Minister of Health of Cuba, José Angel Portal Miranda.

During his visit, he indicated that the modern health institution is the fruit of cooperation and friendship. The President also stressed that the affection and recognition between Cuban and Caribbean Nations are palpable.

Notably, the Medical Center in Georgetown was built with the help of Cuba on July 2018 and several Cuban doctors are on staff.

Barbados Visit

Miguel Diaz will participate in the 8th Summit of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to take place December 6th in Barbados.

In this vein, he stated, “Together with several Ministers, we will also participate in the VIII CARICOM Summit, which will be held in beloved Barbados.

A united and supportive Caribbean is our only path. Let’s thank and strengthen this common history.”

Read also: CARICOM Secretariat launches “I Am Agriculture’ Initiative

The President recalled in another message that, after Cuba was diplomatically isolated after the US and the Organization of American States (OAS) forced Latin American nations to break their ties with the island, only the Caribbean had maintained the link.

“Fifty years ago, four newly independent Caribbean nations changed that history. To commemorate it, we will be in Barbados”, concluded the Head of State.