CubaPLUS Magazine

It is believed that an endearing and beautiful bond was established starting December 8, 1972, 51 years ago, when Cuba established diplomatic relations with the sovereign Caribbean nation of Guyana, accompanied by her sisters, also English speakers, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

The brave and supportive act of the Caribbean islands, in the case of Guyana, with colonial status until 1966, had a beautiful particular history because in 1961 it had initiated political, commercial and cooperation ties with the largest of the Antilles, by the will of Cheddi Jagan, at the head of the Progressive Party of the People, in power until 1964.

After a period of emptiness after that date, the path could be resumed in 1972, since that initial experience. And only when it was able to establish itself as an independent country and master of its destiny was Guyana able to resume that laudable endeavor with vigor and brotherhood, despite the attempts and pressures from already known powerful interests. The definitive establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972 opened a stage of close and lasting ties that expressed a deep vocation to unity, due to the common history of the Caribbean region -despite the different language- and the political and brotherly desire to cooperate with each other for the development of all, establishing cultural, political and commercial links at the highest level.

With the creation of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in 1973, these ties were expanded and narrowed and the socialist nation has been celebrating for 20 years their special day with the institution, coinciding on December 8, in which its links with beautiful Guyana have special prominence. Already settled in the year 2023 of this arduous millennium, Cuba continues to receive from the authorities of Guyana and the people of that small nation, its support against the brutal blockade to which it is subjected by the United States government.

Likewise, this year the agreements that establish an exemplary and consecrated relationship with the sister nation's health programs. In 1973, when Fidel Castro visited Georgetown, capital of the brave nation, he recognized and thanked the great courage shown by those Caribbean state sovereigns who were contributing to breaking down the criminal blockade of the almighty nation of the North.

An example of how political, commercial and cultural ties grow and are constantly updated, was the signing in the capital of Guyana of an agreement of economic cooperation on the second day of the Agricultural Investment Forum that It took place there from October 20 to 22. The main objective of this protocol was to guarantee Cuban collaboration to agricultural and forestry technical assistance services and also design a framework of general cooperation between the Ministries of Agriculture of both countries, especially in some aspects such as the production of vegetables and other foods.

The search and establishment of common projects have gone further, since there is a whole front that establishes coordination regarding climate policy and confronting global warming, taking into account the vulnerable condition that aggravates our insularity and not being among the developed countries. We share together the fact of being beautiful sovereign islands, paradisiac earthly areas of great tourism, cultural and economic potential, but the prevailing situation leads us to unite in the salvation of our ecosystems and the heritage, not only natural, but human.

The Cuban ambassador to Guyana, Jorge Francisco Soberón Luis, has worked since this year in tracking the goals that reflect our  unconditional friendship, typical of nations that know they are sisters. Cuban President Miguel Díaz Canel once said referring to the ties; “We are small nations facing great challenges”, surely also thinking about the privilege we had of being able to walk hand in hand in the fight for our survival, our friendship and for our inalienable development, through the most rational, fair and humane means.