CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Commemoration of the Cuba-CARICOM Day

Today, 8 December, we commemorate the Cuba-CARICOM Day.
Cuba is deeply satisfied at its indestructible bonds of friendship, respect, and cooperation with the Caribbean sister nations.  
The Cuban people and Government are proud that our Caribbean brothers and sisters have always expressed, both at the United Nations and other international fora, its firm position in favor of the immediate lifting of the unjust economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed against Cuba, which is contrary to International Law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

In the framework of the United Nations, Cuba and CARICOM countries are fully united in their commitment to the respect for and promotion of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and particularly to the sovereign independence, territorial integrity, non-intervention, and non-interference in the internal affairs of States, as well as to the sustainable development of human, natural and economic resources.

Our countries have showed, through numerous concrete examples, their unwavering decision to continue to advance the strengthening of relations and promotion of cooperation, and towards the Caribbean integration.

At present, 1,598 Cuban collaborators are rendering their services in the Caribbean; more than 80 percent of them come from the healthcare sector.
Over 4,072 Caribbean youths have graduated in Cuba, 1,705 of them in medicine. There are 3,191 youths from CARICOM countries currently studying in our country; 2,327 of them are studying medical sciences, and 67 are doing it in their countries of origin, using the curriculum of our country.

Eight ophthalmic centers have been set up in the Caribbean, with equipment to be used free of charge and with Cuban human resources.
More than 92 thousand Caribbean patients have undergone eye surgery free of charge, carried out by Cuban doctors, as part of the “Operation Miracle”.
Cuba has committed itself to providing the high-technology medical equipment for the creation of 17 Comprehensive Diagnostic Centers in various Caribbean countries.
Moreover, in the context of the implementation of the Cuban program “Yes, I can”, over 168 thousand Caribbean people have been taught to read and write, free of charge.
Cuba also shares its experience with Caribbean countries on different areas, such as environmental protection and climate change, energy saving and prevention of natural disasters.

The Caribbean sister nations can always count on the everlasting friendship, solidarity, unselfishness, gratitude, and full support of Cuba.
In this, the Cuban people and Government are only carrying out a duty and honoring our debt of gratitude to the Caribbean peoples, which have always showed their firm and constant friendship and solidarity with Cuba.
           
New York, 8 December 2010

(Cubaminrex-Misión ONU)