Port of Spain, January 25, 2026. On the morning of today, Cuban residents and solidarity friends from various organizations in Trinidad and Tobago denounced the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba and expressed their support for the Cuban people.
With the presence of the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Álvaro Sánchez Cordero; the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, Gustavo Véliz Olivares; and Odalys Pérez, President of the Association of Cuban Residents in Trinidad and Tobago “Abraza a Cuba,” the events that took place on January 3 in Caracas were recalled.
In her address, the President of the Association of Cuban Residents emphatically stated: “…we raise our voices to offer our support to the Cuban people, to our family, to our friends.” … “on behalf of the Association of Cuban Residents in Trinidad and Tobago, we demand the lifting of the U.S. blockade against Cuba and express our solidarity with the Venezuelan people.”
In his remarks, the Venezuelan Ambassador thanked the sacrifice made by the 32 Cuban heroes who gave their lives in defense of the constitutional president Nicolás Maduro and the First Combatant Cilia Flores. He also expressed gratitude for the collaboration provided by the Cuban people to Venezuela and their willingness to continue offering solidarity assistance to the brotherly nation under any circumstances. He further commemorated the 67th anniversary of the visit to Venezuela by the Historic Leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, on January 23, 1959, which was his first trip abroad following the revolutionary victory.
For his part, Peter Burke, Vice President of the Association of Friends of Cuba in Trinidad and Tobago, highlighted the historical and solidarity-based ties that unite both nations. During his intervention, he also called for an end to the U.S. blockade, which has persisted against Cuba for more than six decades.
Clyde Callender, President of the Association of Friends of Cuba, and David Abdulah, political leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ), presented a donation to Cuban Ambassador Gustavo Véliz as part of an initiative promoted by solidarity organizations and Cuban residents in Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at raising funds for those affected by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island at the end of last year.
The Cuban Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the support of the Solidarity Movement and the members of the Association of Cuban Residents for those affected, and emphasized the importance of this gesture for the Cuban people.
Also in attendance were Raoul Simon, “shaman” of the Waraos of San Fernando; Roger Belix, associate of the Indigenous Peoples; and Dr. Orlando Díaz Gómez, head of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as other members of the aforementioned Association “Abraza a Cuba.”
(Embassy of Cuba in Trinidad and Tobago)
