@PresidenciaCuba

By: María Josefina Arce

Antigua and Barbuda strongly condemn the re-inclusion of Cuba on the illegitimate U.S. list of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism, a decision made by Donald Trump hours after assuming the presidency for the second time on January 20.

The rejection of the neighboring Caribbean nation was reiterated in St. John's by Senate President Alincia Williams Grant during a recent meeting with Cuban Ambassador Sergio Martinez, to whom she also expressed her rejection of the U.S. blockade against the people of the Greater Antilles.

Antigua and Barbuda's support for the Cuban people, two sister Caribbean nations, is historic. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has emphasized that he does not like to speak of friendly relations with Cuba, but of family relations.

There is close bilateral cooperation in construction, water management, electricity and health, the latter of which began in May 2000 and has been much appreciated by the population.

Cuban health professionals work in two hospitals on the two main islands of this archipelago, which also received assistance during the COVID 19 pandemic.

At this complex moment, a brigade of the Henry Reeves International Contingent arrived in the area to assist their Antiguan counterparts in the fight against the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Likewise, young people from that nation have benefited from scholarships granted by Havana to study medicine in Cuban universities.

The two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for bilateral cooperation in the fight against natural disasters and the preservation of the environment.

In this regard, the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda have not forgotten the valuable assistance provided by Havana after the devastating passage of Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Cuba and Antigua & Barbuda maintain excellent relations of friendship and cooperation, a reflection of the strong ties between the Caribbean nations.