Port of Spain, February 25, 2026. The Ambassador of Cuba, Gustavo Véliz Olivares, was received at the Institute of International Relations of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, by its Director, Abdul Knowles, Ph.D., LL.M.
The academic, who recently assumed leadership of the Diplomatic Academy in Port of Spain, expressed his appreciation for the Ambassador’s visit and conveyed particular interest in promoting academic exchanges with Cuba and expanding cooperation between the two countries. He inquired about Cuba’s situation in the current context and underscored the importance of maintaining and strengthening relations between Cuba and the Caribbean.
The Ambassador briefed the academic on the situation in Cuba, which has been particularly aggravated following the signing of the Executive Order by President Trump on January 29. He expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to diversify exchanges with the Institute and highlighted the importance of fostering greater interaction through it with the Diplomatic Academy and other university centers in Cuba.
Dr. Jacqueline Jacqueline Laguardia (Ph.D.), Professor at the same Institute, was also present during the discussion.
(Embassy of Cuba in Trinidad and Tobago)