Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley met with Cuba’s Vice Minister for Culture, Lizette Martínez Luzardo, at Ilaro Court. (C. Pitt/BGIS)
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has reiterated her intention to deepen Barbados’ relationship with Cuba, while expressing her deep appreciation for that country’s assistance in several areas over the years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms. Mottley was speaking during a courtesy call yesterday with Cuba’s Vice Minister for Culture, Lizette Martínez Luzardo, at Ilaro Court.
She said Barbados was interested in exploring deeper ties in culture and arts, as she praised Cuba for investing in education in these areas, noting that “the tremendous investment that Fidel and others have made in the development of your people is what makes you as powerful as you are”.
Ms. Mottley continued: “It is not only power; it is also resilience and the lesson that we have taken is that the greatest investment that we can make to boost productivity, to fight crime and conflict, is to invest in our people….”
The Prime Minister pointed out that Cuba’s assistance to Barbados “crossed a range of fronts”, but it was the provision of 100 nurses and approximately 10 doctors during the pandemic that was most memorable.
“The help that you gave to us during the pandemic with 100 nurses and about 10 doctors played a role that, without which, I shudder to think how worse it would have been, not just for the country, but for actual families,” she said.
Vice President Martínez Luzardo expressed thanks to Ms. Mottley for paving the way for the Cuban delegation to participate in CARIFESTA XV.
“The examples of solidarity between the people of Cuba and Barbados are immense. There are lots of memories of Fidel [Castro] here in Barbados.
“It has filled us with happiness because we are beginning the centenary celebrations for the life of Fidel here in CARIFESTA. So, from August 13 this year until August 13 next year, we will be celebrating the centenary,” she stated.
The Vice Minister of Culture said, based on discussions with other key government officials, that there were areas of cooperation that can be pursued. She also congratulated Ms. Mottley for running a “marvellous” country.
The two officials also discussed film studies in schools, and Barbados’ pharmaceutical industry.
Barbados and Cuba established diplomatic ties on December 8, 1972.
Author: Julie Carrington
Source: https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/barbados-and-cuba-explore-deeper-bilateral-relations/
