Kingston, Jamaica, 1 de febrero de 2019. En la noche de ayer, la Embajada de Cuba celebró la Recepción por el 60 aniversario del triunfo de la Revolución. Estuvieron presentes representantes del gobierno de Jamaica, el Parlamento, las agrupaciones políticas, el cuerpo diplomatico y consular, organizaciones internacionales, el sector académico, el movimiento de solidaridad y la comunidad cubana residente en el país.
El Presidente del Senado de Jamaica, Hon. Thomas Tavares-Finson, pronunció un discurso en saludo a la celebración, en representacion de las autoridades de su país. Por la parte cubana, hizo uso de la palabra la Embajadora Inés Fors Fernández. Luego de las intervenciones, el ex Primer Ministro Percival J. Patterson y el Líder de la Oposición, Peter Phillips, se sumaron a un brindis en honor a la amistad entre ambos pueblos.
A continuación, reproducimos (en inglés) el discurso pronunciado por la Embajadora de Cuba en el evento:
Thank you very much Dr. Deborah Hickling Gordon, master of ceremonies.
President of the Senate Thomas Tavares-Finson;
Dr. Peter Phillips, Leader of the Opposition;
Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson;
Ministers of government;
Members of Parliament;
Members of the Senate;
Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, and International organizations;
Distinguished officials, staff members at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade;
Members of the private sector;
Members of the media;
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, GOOD EVENING.
I am standing here tonight with mixed emotions. One of joy for the achievements we have made in the 60 years of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, and one of sadness because last weekend a natural disaster hit and devastated some areas in Havana. We have lost lives and it has caused us much pain.
I wish to express on behalf of my government our heartfelt thanks to the Jamaica government and the many persons who have called or sent messages to express their solidarity and support in the recovery process.
It is indeed my privilege to welcome you all this evening to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution.
A Revolution of the humble, by the humble, and for the humble as defined by the Cuban Historical Leader Fidel Castro Ruz, on April 1961.
These have been 60 years of challenges, efforts and victories of a vibrant country full of music, poetry, dancing, singing.
I am here representing the heroic people of Cuba, a people proud of their national history and culture.
A people characterized by its fighting spirit, strength in adversity, nobility, wisdom, humanism, sensitivity, spirit of resistance and love for freedom.
Cuba is well known for its Revolution. A Revolution of Health and Education, a Revolution of Science, a Revolution of Ideas and Thoughts.
A Revolution that is a symbol of full independence, resistance, social justice, altruism, solidarity and humanism.
Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen,
In spite of suffering the most unfair, severe and longest system of unilateral sanctions ever imposed against any country and being a nation with few material and natural resources, Cuba has managed to make impressive economic and social gains. We are proudly advancing in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the moral strength of having fulfilled the Millennium Development Goals.
Allow me to share just some examples of what has been done in these 60 years:
- Cuba was the first Latin American country to become free of illiteracy, in 1961.
- Cuba´s infant mortality rate is 4.0 per one thousand live births, one of the lowest rates in the world.
- Cuba was the first country to eliminate mother-child transmission of HIV-AIDS.
- Cuba offers a model of a free and inclusive health system for its entire population. Currently the country has one doctor for every 122 inhabitants, one dentist for every 602 people, and one nurse for every 128, reaching figures higher than those of First World countries.
- Cuba allocates 51% of state budget to education, health and social welfare.
- During the last 55 years, a total of 600 thousand Cuban missions have been accomplished in 164 nations, with the participation of 400 thousand health professionals. Their feats in the struggle against the Ebola virus in Africa, blindness in Latin America and the Caribbean and cholera in Haiti have been well recognized.
- Almost 36 thousand students from 138 countries have been trained in Cuba at no cost as an expression of our ongoing commitment to humanity.
- Cuban biotechnology’s capacity to generate products has had a significant impact on the country’s health system. This has provided unique products to the nation and the world, such as vaccines against Hepatitis B and lung cancer as well as Heberprot P, a medication against diabetic foot ulcers to prevent amputations.
- Cubans enjoyed more than 9 million artistic and cultural activities across the island in 2018.
Dear friends,
After an extensive popular consultation process, the new Constitution of the Republic of Cuba will be submitted to a Referendum on February 24th. It constitutes a genuine demonstration of the people’s exercise of power and the democratic nature of our political system.
THERE IS NO DOUBT CUBA WILL MOVE FORWARD.
Dear friends,
2019 marks also the 47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Jamaica in 1972.
Our two countries enjoy excellent bilateral relations since then.
Diplomatic and political ties have strengthened through the permanent dialogue, different exchanges and countless visits by both Cuban and Jamaican heads of state and government officials.
Cuba and Jamaica have signed 14 collaboration agreements in different areas; thousands of Cuban health professionals have worked and continue to work in both urban and rural communities in Jamaica; thousands of Jamaicans have also benefited from Operation Miracle, a free eye surgery program.
Under the scholarship program of the Government of the Republic of Cuba, almost 800 Jamaicans have graduated in many different areas, in particular in the field of Medicine.
In 20 years, around 500 Cuban teachers have worked in all regions of Jamaica.
In 2018, your President of the Senate, the Attorney General as well as the ministers of Education and Health traveled to Cuba.
At the same time the new Cuban President visited Jamaica to attend the CARICOM Summit, just three months after his assumption of office. That shows the special relationship that the Caribbean Community and Cuba have shared over the last 46 years.
In 2018, once more, Jamaica joined the international community to demand the lifting of the US economic, financial and commercial blockade against Cuba. In the same vein, the Jamaican Parliament approved, for 10 years in a row, a Motion against the embargo.
There are tremendous opportunities and potentials for further promote and develop between Cuba and Jamaica in the areas of tourism, culture, investment, trade and so on. Since both of our countries are blessed with unique culture and heritage, we may encourage entrepreneurs to work together for our mutual benefit.
Dear friends,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the sponsors who have contributed to this celebration, Senator Don Wehby and Grace Kennedy Company; Brian Jardim and the Rainforest team; CPJ; Mr. Balford Denniston; Mr. Steve Khemlani; Mr. Andrew Azar; Mr. Jason Mckay; Dr Sandra Knight; Dr Lorenzo Gordon; Dr. Neville Graham; these three doctors were trained in Cuba; Mr. Christopher Issa and Spanish Court team; Dr. Stines and dancers from the L'Acadco Dance Company; Jackie Tyson and her team; Mr. Rajesh Kripalani; Mr. Peter McConnell from Trade Winds Citrus; Mr. Kelvin Osborne and Clear Sound Production Team. Special thanks to Pamela Redwood for her impressive support in preparing this reception.
Last but not least allow me to express my sincere congratulations to Jamaicans for the recent successful Inscription of Reggae on the UNESCO LIST OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY
ONE LOVE!
ONE HEART!
LET'S GET TOGETHER
AND FEEL ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH