Fifty-third Anniversary of CARICOM-Cuba Relations
The eighth of December 2025 marks the Fifty-Third Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, the four then independent Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States, and Cuba. That bold act of 8 December 1972 has evolved steadily into a fruitful and mutually beneficial friendship between all CARICOM Member States and Cuba.
Since that landmark date, the friendly and close relationship that unites CARICOM and Cuba has become an admirable demonstration of South-South Cooperation. Our partnership has been strengthened by regular bilateral meetings, eight (8) Summits and six (6) Ministerial Meetings. The Ninth CARICOM-Cuba Summit, to be held in Havana in March 2026, will provide another opportunity for an exchange on a wide range of bilateral, hemispheric and global issues that are of mutual interest and concern, as well as on areas for further cooperation, including trade, education and public health.
The Caribbean Community and Cuba continue to face serious challenges. These include the impact of global warming and transnational crime, economic and financial hardship, and the negative effects of natural disasters such as Hurricane Melissa.
We must continue to work together to tackle these obstacles. In this spirit, we reaffirm our enduring commitment to regional solidarity, and to the principle of respect for the sovereignty and self-determination of all nations.
