Speaking in a special session of the National Assembly, the Cuban head of State noted that Belize can count on his country “in the face of the immense challenges that small states of immense spirituality like ours will always have ahead of them.”
Diaz-Canel expressed gratitude and at the same time returned “the respect and appreciation that this invitation shows to the Cuban people, brother of the Belizean people, whom we respect and appreciate with equal affection,” he added.
“The Caribbean that unites us also distinguishes us as peoples, small in territory and population, but big in spirit and generous in their embrace,” asserted Diaz-Canel, adding that more than 1,000 Cubans have provided their services in Belize since 1990 and various areas have also benefited from relations such as construction, sports and culture.
Currently, 122 Cuban men and women share their work in health care and sports with their Belizean brothers, the Cuban president highlighted.
“If something has distinguished our bilateral relations is that they have transcended diplomatic formalities to become ties of truly brotherly peoples,” he stressed.
Diaz-Canel’s agenda started with a meeting with Governor General Froyla Tzalam at the House of Culture in Belize City.
“Being in Belize was a debt; three prime ministers of this brotherly country have been to Cuba and we had not visited it yet,” Díaz-Canel pointed out.
Being here is a healthy pride and also a commitment, and that is why we give so much significance to this visit, he emphasized.
Afterwards, the Cuban president held official talks with Prime Minister John Briceño and both parties agreed on strengthening economic, trade and cooperation ties and exchanged viewpoints on the agreements adopted at the 8th Summit of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).
Accompanying President Diaz-Canel were Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, Foreign Trade Minister Rodrigo Malmierca, Public Health Minister Jose A. Portal, and BioCubaFarma Chairman Eduardo Martinez.
Cuban cooperation began in Belize in 1990, mainly in the area of health and sports.
Currently, 120 Cuban medical collaborators, and two in sports are working in Belize. In total, more than 1,000 healthcare workers have provided services here.
Cuba supports Belize and the Caricom Member States in the training of human resources, and 64 Belizean scholarship holders are studying in Cuba.
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