On a significant diplomatic occasion at its headquarters in Dominica, the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba hosted a formal ceremony to celebrate the country’s National Rebellion Day, drawing attendees from two key bilateral organizations: the Dominica Guild of Cuban Graduates and the Dominica-Cuba Friendship Association.
Beyond its commemorative purpose, the gathering served as a platform to celebrate the decades-long collaborative bond between Havana and Roseau, while shining a spotlight on the critical contributions the two participating organizations have made over the years to nurturing people-to-people ties and advancing official cooperation between the two Caribbean nations.
In his keynote address to attendees, Cuban Ambassador to Dominica Miguel Fraga opened a discussion on the pressing contemporary challenges that Cuba navigates, according to an official press statement released by the embassy following the event. Fraga centered much of his remarks on the far-reaching harm caused by the longstanding, recently intensified economic, commercial and financial blockade enforced by the United States. He placed specific focus on the crippling impacts of the oil embargo component of the restrictions, detailing the widespread daily hardships the policy has imposed on ordinary Cuban citizens.
Fraga also directed sharp criticism at what he framed as the growing aggression and hostile policy threats against Cuba advanced by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring how these actions have exacerbated existing pressures on the island nation. Despite these challenges, the ambassador emphasized that Cuba retains widespread backing across the global community. He pointed to the most recent annual United Nations vote on the blockade as clear evidence of this support, noting that an overwhelming majority of UN member states once again voted in favor of a resolution calling for an immediate end to the U.S. embargo. Fraga noted that this lopsided outcome underscores the growing international isolation of Washington’s policy toward Cuba on the global stage.
As part of the day’s commemorative activities, the ceremony included a special honor for Dr. Damien Dublin, who was recognized by the Dominica Guild of Cuban Graduates for his unwavering, longstanding commitment to deepening bilateral friendship and cooperation between Cuba and Dominica, as well as his consistent public support for the Cuban Revolution.
Following the address and award presentation, representatives from all participating organizations issued a collective reaffirmation of their solidarity with Cuba. They pledged to continue standing with the Cuban people in defense of the country’s sovereign right to self-determination, in the face of ongoing U.S. sanctions and other unilateral coercive measures.
The event drew to a close with attendees reflecting on the deep, durable roots of the Cuban-Dominica relationship, which has been built across decades of shared cooperation, mutual respect for national sovereignty and reciprocal support. All attendees united in a public commitment to continuing work to expand and strengthen the bilateral partnership in the years ahead.