Prime Minister Gaston Browne has described as ‘unbreakable’ the bonds of
friendship between Antigua and Barbuda and Cuba.
PM Browne was at the time speaking at a cocktail reception at the Cuban
Ambassador official residence to mark the occasion of 30 years of diplomatic ties
between the two Caribbean nations.
He emphasized the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of states
and respect for a country’s sovereignty to which both countries strongly adhere.
“Cuba has been quite benevolent and it is a country that has done a significant
amount of global good for a number of countries despite its own problems, despite
its own limited resources, and we are always very supportive and very appreciative
of Cuban generosity because they continue to give from the little that they have,”
he remarked.
He noted Cuba’s contributions to the development of Antigua and Barbuda, most
notably, its contributions in health care and education. “In fact, our healthcare
system for the most part, has been supplemented in a very significant way by
Cuban doctors and nurses and other specialists. We therefore continue to celebrate
with gratitude the contributions that Cuba made during the period of COVID.
When other countries banned medical supplies and equipment from leaving their
shores, Cuba on the other hand was able to make a number of healthcare
professionals available to Antigua and Barbuda who arrive here during COVID. I
have no doubt that their presence here would have helped to strengthen our own
local health care practitioners,” he observed.
He added that he firmly believes that the presence of the Cubans helped to save
lives during their time here in the country.
In response, the Cuban Ambassador, Sergio Manuel Matinez Gonzalez, thanked
the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda for its unwavering stance
against the ‘criminal and genocidal economic, financial and commercial blockade
of Cuba’ by the United States.
“Antigua and Barbuda has maintained a vertical attitude in defense of Cuba in all
international fora, in favour of the resolution against the blockade of Cuba and the
return of the illegally occupied territory of the Guantanamo Naval Base,” he stated.
The reception was attended by senior government officials, including the Governor
General, Sir Rodney Williams, Senior Minister, Sir Molwyn Joseph, and other
Cabinet ministers, the Leader of the Opposition, Jamale Pringle and members of
the diplomatic corps and other friends of Cuba.’
