NASSAU, Bahamas – The Bahamas will continue to work together with Cuba to ensure that relations between the two countries and the region are maintained, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Brent Symonette said.
Cuba’s leader Fidel Castro, 81, resigned as president on Tuesday, February 19.
Mr. Symonette said, “We trust and hope that democracy will be deepened in Cuba so that they would enjoy the same rights and freedoms that we enjoy in the Western world. The Bahamas will be reviewing the situation as it develops in Cuba to see whether or not his brother (Raul Castro) will assume responsibility for his post.
“It is too early to tell at this stage what the outcome would be as to whether the president will dramatically change the course of policy in Cuba,” he noted, adding that The Bahamas will continue to maintain close relations with Cuba.
“We will continue to work together with Cuba to make sure that the relations between our two countries and the region are maintained.”
The Bahamas established diplomatic relations with Cuba on November 30, 1974; sixteen months after gaining independence from the United Kingdom on July 10, 1973.
At the time, The Bahamas was among four other Caribbean nations to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba in an environment said to be characterised by significant pressures.
In 2005, The Bahamas officially commissioned an Embassy in Havana. His Excellency Carlton Wright serves as Ambassador to Cuba.
A growing number of Bahamians are studying various disciplines in Cuba. There is also a medical agreement between Cuba and The Bahamas, and the wider Caribbean Community for the provision of corrective eye procedures.
