Last Tuesday, CNN announced the new instruction issued by the U.S. Secretary of State to all U.S. embassies and consulates to suspend all work related to the processing of so-called student visas, which the U.S. issues to young people from different latitudes applying to study at U.S. universities. This is a new step in the xenophobic and discriminatory policy that the current ruling administration of the northern empire has been implementing against the rest of the world, especially against less developed countries belonging to the so-called "global south."
It is no coincidence that these types of measures are being implemented after growing protests by broad youth and student groups at major US universities against the fascist policies of the White House, and especially against the US support and complicity in the genocide perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people.
Paradoxically, and in contrast to these measures, other countries around the world are opening their doors to provide opportunities for study and advancement to hundreds of young people from low-income households whose families cannot provide the financial resources necessary to cover the cost of a university degree.
Cuba, which has been subjected to a criminal economic war for more than 60 years by the US government, is one of these countries that has generously offered scholarships and graduated thousands of young students from more than 40 countries around the world. From Antigua and Barbuda alone, 300 young people from this sister nation have graduated in various fields such as medicine, economics, teaching, and engineering, among others. For the upcoming academic year, which begins in September, 23 new scholarships have been offered to young Antiguans for the study of medical sciences and other specialties.
Even in the most complex circumstances Cuba faces as a result of the genocidal economic blockade imposed by the U.S., it will never abandon its commitment to solidarity with sister countries like Antigua and Barbuda, and its support for the important and necessary task of human resource development that will help ensure a better future and development for this beautiful nation.