Cuba-CARICOM Day commemorates the courageous and historic decision of the leaders of Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica, which was formally realised on December 8, 1972 with the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the strong and vibrant community of Caribbean states with whom we share the Caribbean Sea and much more. This act constituted a fundamental step in beginning to break the diplomatic and commercial isolation at the regional level imposed on Cuba by the government of the United States of America, with the complicity of the Organisation of American States (OAS). It also allowed the deepening of relations between the peoples of Our America, united by centuries of history, culture and neighbourliness.
Since then, relations between CARICOM and Cuba have multiplied, diversified and intensified. Today Cuba maintains diplomatic missions in the 14 independent member states of CARICOM and these, in turn, are represented in Havana by an equal number of missions. Cuba is also accredited to CARICOM, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and the Association of Caribbean States.
We are united by deep blood ties and a shared history, and between us both - Cuba and CARICOM - we have built a work of solidarity that is an exceptional example of South-South Cooperation, so necessary to achieve the common objectives of sustainable development and well-being for our peoples.
Fifty-two years have passed, but Cuba will forever be grateful for the independent and dignified gesture of the small Caribbean states and the courageous position of support sustained for more than five decades, despite the great challenges, pressures and threats.
It is worth recognising the sister nations that constitute CARICOM for their unconditional and sustained support, in all the forums made available to them, for the legitimate demand for an end to the illegal and unjust economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba for more than 60 years. We also appreciate your condemnation of the unilateral inclusion of Cuba in the illegitimate list of State sponsors of terrorism.
We ratify the words of Army General Raúl Castro at the VI Cuba-CARICOM Summit in 2017: ‘In the faithful of America are the Antilles’, wrote José Martí, the most universal of Cubans, in 1894. His ideas, today widely shared, give us the certainty that an increasingly prosperous, equitable, secure, sustainable and united Caribbean is possible; that it can always count on Cuba's eternal friendship, gratitude and support.
(EmbaCubaJamaica)