Grenada Has a Legal Obligation to Stand With Cuba, Says Foreign Affairs Minister

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – Grenada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Joseph Andall, says that the country not only has a “legal, moral and ethical” obligation to stand by the people of Cuba but that it should avoid being opportunistic or transactional as it pertains to the relations between the two countries.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Joseph Andall“Cuba continues to be a trustworthy friend and partner not only of Grenada, not only of the Caribbean but of people the world over.  When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, Cuban doctors went as far as Italy to provide services, I did not hear anybody talk about human trafficking and things like that,” Andall told the Parliament.

Speaking during the debate on the EC$1.91 billion (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) budget, Andall said “we have not just a legal obligation, a moral and ethical obligation to stand by the people of Cuba

“Our health infrastructure will collapse without the generous intervention of Cuba and for that we must always take a principle stand,” he said, telling legislators that besides the island’s healthcare system, Cuba has contributed and continues to contribute to Grenada education sector.

“Was it not for the selfless support of Cuba many of us would not have had the opportunity for further education that we got,” said Andall, identifying at least four current Members of Parliament who pursued and achieved university education in Cuba.

In late February, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said Washington was announcing “the expansion of an existing Cuba-related visa restriction policy that targets forced labor linked to the Cuban labor export program.

“This expanded policy applies to current or former Cuban government officials, and other individuals, including foreign government officials, who are believed to be responsible for, or involved in, the Cuban labor export program, particularly Cuba’s overseas medical missions”.

Grenada and Cuba formally established diplomatic relations on April, 14 1979 until November 1983 when the left wing People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) og then prime minister Maurice Bishop, collapsed.

The two countries re-established diplomatic relations 1994 and since then, hundreds of  Cuban medical personnel have provided services to the country’s healthcare system.

Last year,  Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell led a delegation to Cuba on an official visit, signing several agreements in several areas including health and agriculture.