VI was forward thinking in relations with Cuba!
In the early 80s and 90s many Caribbean countries and most western democracies were afraid to be associated with Cuba because of the indirect and direct threats from the USA and the height of the Cold War, especially once President Castro declared he was Communist and aligned with the former Soviet Union.
1994 to current relationships with Cuba in some form
However, going back to 1994 the Virgin Islands (UK) was bold and forward thinking and was having formal and informal discussions with Cuba on ways to help develop its agricultural sector.
At the time, H. Lavity Stoutt was Chief Minister with Lorna G. Smith, the current First Lady, as his Permanent Secretary.
In 1995 an official from Cuba, the then Cuban Vice-Minister for Fisheries Rafael Jimenez, visited the Virgin Islands and was hosted by the VI Government after extensive permission had been sought from the United Kingdom’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
VI Minister George made historical visit
The VI's relationship with Cuba had moved to a positive landmark when the late Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Hon Reeial A. George, became the first Government Minister in the history of the Virgin Islands to make an official visit to Communist Cuba.
It was in October of 2002 that Mr George led a delegation to Cuba. The historical trip came after an invitation from Mr Manuel Rodriguez, Director of International Relations for the Government of Cuba.
While Mr George did not meet the late Cuban President Fidel Castro, he met with other high ranking government ministers, including the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture.
Speaking during a press conference on Thursday November 14, 2002 about the trip, the then Minister George said the purpose of the visit was to establish a relationship between both governments, find ways to train local fishermen (particularly in long-line fishing), review their agricultural programme and find markets for local produce.
The Virgin Islands delegation to Cuba from October 28-30, 2002 included then Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Julian Willock, the then Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer Bertrand Lettsome, then Manager of the BVI Fishing Complex Bevin Brathwaite and then Agricultural Officer Berenice Freeman.
Hon Ronnie W. Skelton visited also!
Not to be outdone some eleven years later the National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration also made an official visit to Cuba.
It was in June 2013 when the Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) lead a delegation to Cuba. By then most of the Caribbean countries, along with Latin and South America and Western and Eastern Europe had publicly opposed the USA’s embargo on Cuba and continued their own visits and business relations with Cuba.
Minister Skelton’s trip was arranged by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) on behalf of the VI where he went to look at interest in the health sector. His delegation included Permanent Secretary in his Ministry Petrona N. Davies and Dr Irad M. Potter, the Chief Medical Officer.
While in Cuba, Minister Skelton spoke with researchers and Public Health Officials, met very senior officials in the Cuban Government but, like Mr George, he never met with the current President of Cuba Raul M. Castro.
It is reported that there is still some limited communication with the Cuban Health Sector as the BVI Health Services Authority could be looking at how their innovative wound care programme can work in the VI if introduced.
Castro dead but the progress in Health & Agriculture lives on
As the world mourns or celebrates the passing of Fidel Castro, the fiery apostle of the Cuba revolution who died on November 25, 2016 at age 90, he did some good in Health and Agriculture that many others in the world can learn from.
In declining health for serval years, Fidel turned over power to his younger brother Raul, now 85, in 2006. The late Castro had held power longer than any other living national leader except Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
While many in the political and academic classes will debate for years whether Fidel Castro was a brutal dictator or a freedom fighter, one thing for sure is he has made history in more ways than one. In addition, he was on the side of the poor and oppressed peoples of the world.
He dominated his country with strength and symbolism from the day he triumphantly entered Havana, Cuba on January 8, 1959 and overthrew General Ruben Fulgencio Batista.
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19 Responses to “VI was forward thinking in relations with Cuba!”
It will take strategic planning without any kind of prejudice (not cronies ideas) of which our current party has not shown any kind of substantial engagement.
A total reshuffle of political prospects is required for moving our country forward for both the Virgin Islands Party, NDP Party, or any other kind of New Party for that matter.
However, some of us in the Virgin Islands and “Abroad” are expecting a total Reshuffling of both, or a completely NEW Party of progressive individuals to move us forward. Many challenges are ahead to deal with.
The PUBLIC needs to be fully informed and engage with this new development- it will certainly affect us ALL- on top of everything else happening locally.
Julian Willock is ahead of us in his thinking, whether it is his online site or not, he is thinking forward.
Rest well Generalissimo Commrade Revolutinit Fidelista, the real defender if the poor and working class