The Honorable Allen Chastanet, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, spoke at the VII Cuba Caricom Summit, which was held virtually on December 8. “Commendably, the Government of Cuba has been at the fore-front in providing assistance on a global scale in fighting COVID-19.” On last March, the Henry Reeve Brigade, composed of 113 healthcare professionals, arrived on island to assist Saint Lucia in combatting COVID -19. “These medical professionals have provided invaluable service to Saint Lucia and we were very pleased to have received them”. “In that regard, the Government of St. Lucia would like to commend the Cuban healthcare workers for their excellent contribution and service provided to the people of St. Lucia. We are particularly grateful for Cuba’s sharing of expertise and good practice, and look forward to continue this collaboration and support. The presence of the Cuban Medical Brigade in the region reflects the ties of cooperation that unite CARICOM and Cuba”.
“Noteworthy is the fact that Cuba has begun clinical trials on a potential Corona virus vaccine and in that regard, Saint Lucia wishes to commend the Government and Scientific community of Cuba on their success thus far, and to encourage their continued effort in that regard. The Biotechnology Sector in Cuba has grown and become more self-sufficient in the face of a trade embargo”.
“In that regard, we have enjoyed the benefit of annual scholarships for CARICOM nationals to pursue higher education in Cuba. At present there are 60 Saint Lucian nationals pursuing studies in Cuba, and to date, over 500 students from Saint Lucia have benefitted from the Cuban scholarship programme”. “With regard to cooperation in Health, Cuba has also offered assistance through Miracle Operation, which was introduced in 2005. Citizens of Saint Lucia, like the rest of CARICOM, benefited significantly from this initiative”.
“St. Lucia has consistently condemned the imposition of the US embargo against Cuba. This has been done within international fora such as the UN General Assembly in 28 consecutive resolutions, and regional forums such as CELAC. CARICOM referring to the US economic commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, has denounced as unjustifiable the application of laws and measures of an extra-territorial nature that are contrary to international law. St. Lucia has also supported Cuban candidatures within various international and regional bodies”. “Saint Lucia would like to once again thank the Government and People of Cuba for their continued assistance, collaboration and friendship”.