Guyana, Georgetwon, December 9, 2025. Cuba and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), on Monday, marked 53 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Havana and the four pioneering Caribbean nations that first recognised Cuba,as well as the 23rd anniversary of Cuba–CARICOM Day.The milestone was commemorated with invited comments from Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Jorge Francisco Soberón Luis, who reflected on the historic roots and enduring strength of the partnership.Ambassador Soberón recalled that, on December 8, 1972, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago took what he described as a courageous political decision to formalise diplomatic relations with Cuba at a time of intense geopolitical pressure.
He quoted the late Cuban revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, who lauded the four regional leaders—Errol Barrow, Forbes Burnham, Michael Manley, and Eric Williams—as architects of both their nations’ independence and the early foundations of Caribbean integration.
According to the Ambassador, the decision of those states more than five decades ago helped define CARICOM’s foreign policy identity, grounded in independence, courage, and concerted action—principles that continue to shape the Community’s engagement on global issues.
Soberón said Cuba remains “forever grateful” for the unwavering solidarity shown by CARICOM member states over the years, particularly their consistent support for Havana’s call to end the U.S. economic, commercial, and financial blockade, which has been in place for over 60 years.
He also thanked regional governments for repeatedly condemning Cuba’s designation on the U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, a classification he described as illegitimate.
Cuba, he noted, is proud of the “excellent relations” it enjoys with all its Caribbean neighbours and intends to deepen co-operation across a wide range of sectors.
This includes ongoing collaboration in health, education, agriculture, climate change adaptation, and the continued training of Caribbean students in Cuba through its long-standing scholarship programme.
Reaffirming Havana’s dedication to Caribbean unity, Soberón cited Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who told regional leaders at the VIII Cuba-CARICOM Summit in 2022 that the relationship between Cuba and CARICOM stands as “a paradigm in international relations based on respect and solidarity, demonstrating that a better world is possible.”
The Ambassador emphasised that the spirit of co-operation envisioned by the region’s founding leaders remains alive and will guide future efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Cuba and the Caribbean Community.