Governor General Sir Rodney Williams has written to the Cuban government expressing Antigua & Barbuda’s congratulations on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. The full letter is below.
Tonight, I express heartiest congratulations to the Government and People of the Republic of Cuba on the celebration of your 59th Anniversary of the Revolution.
Ever since the establishment of Diplomatic relations between our countries, the Republic of Cuba has rendered great service to Antigua and Barbuda in such areas as:
- Education
- Health
- Sports
- Infrastructure, and
- Culture
There is also a strong and productive relationship between Cuba and CARICOM.
We in Antigua and Barbuda continue to support the call for the United States of America to end the blockade of Cuba and to return Guantanamo to the Republic.
As a result of the visionary leadership displayed by your Great Leader Fidel Castro, your country placed a sharp focus on human resource development. This decision inspired the creativity, self-reliance and resilience of the Cuban people, resulting in a highly developed human resource pool which she has not only been able to utilize at home but to also share with the world.
Faced with the blockade and hostility of the USA, the Republic of Cuba forged ahead without fear, making friends all over the world, so that today, there are as many Embassies in Havana as there are in Washington.
Thus, the attempt to isolate Cuba has failed.
So tonight, we in Antigua and Barbuda stand in solidarity with the Republic of Cuba and her tremendous achievements and wish her well in 2018 and beyond.
I recall the historic visit of President Raoul Castro in the earlier part of this month. It was the very first time that a Cuban President had set foot on Antiguan and Barbudan soil. The visit culminated with the signing of a declaration of Solidarity and Co-operation between our two Governments. We now look forward to even greater bilateral relations.
I could not end my remarks tonight without making mention of Cuba’s quick response to Hurricane Irma’s disastrous impact on our sister isle of Barbuda. Even though Cuba was hit by the same hurricane, the Cuban leadership dug deep to provide us with assistance, which no doubt was at some sacrifice to the recovery efforts in Cuba itself. I can say without reservation that this is indicative of the depth of friendship and solidarity between our two countries. We are sincerely grateful for your generosity.
So, we say:
Happy 59th Anniversary of the Triumph of the Cuban Revolution!
Long live the Republic of Cuba!
Long live the strengthened relations between Antigua and Barbuda and the Republic of
