标签： Dominica

At the landmark 50th Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivered a powerful reaffirmation of her nation’s foundational role and enduring commitment to the regional bloc. The summit, convened in St. Kitts and Nevis on February 24, 2025, served as a platform for the Prime Minister to articulate a vision of steadfast partnership and regional solidarity.

Addressing the assembled leaders, Persad-Bissessar emphatically stated, “We will work with CARICOM; we are vested in CARICOM, we’ve been there from day one, and we are going to be there.” She further underscored the critical importance of the organization by declaring, “CARICOM is very vital,” positioning it as an indispensable institution for regional cooperation and development.

Beyond rhetorical support, the Prime Minister outlined concrete diplomatic priorities, notably reiterating Trinidad and Tobago’s dedication to supporting stabilization and peace efforts in Haiti. This commitment aligns with broader CARICOM initiatives aimed at addressing the political and humanitarian challenges within the member territory. Her address emphasized that Port of Spain’s foreign policy is intrinsically linked to the strength and collective action of the Caribbean Community, highlighting a deep-seated investment in the bloc’s success from its inception to its future trajectory.

In a landmark address marking the 50th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis delivered a compelling defense of Caribbean unity. Speaking as both host nation leader and current CARICOM Chairman, Drew articulated a vision of regional integration as an indispensable framework for Caribbean survival and prosperity.

The February 24th opening ceremony in Basseterre became a platform for historical reflection and future-oriented declaration. Drew meticulously traced the Caribbean’s journey from colonial subjugation to sovereign statehood, emphasizing how collective action through CARICOM has transformed regional capabilities. His address confronted contemporary global challenges—supply chain disruptions, climate emergencies, energy insecurity, and geopolitical instability—positioning CARICOM as the essential buffer against these threats.

With rhetorical power, the Prime Minister challenged attendees to envision a world without CARICOM’s contributions, stating such a world would be ‘culturally poorer, intellectually diminished and spiritually less vibrant.’ He reframed the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas not as mere legal document but as ‘a declaration of Caribbean confidence’ that continues to enable practical achievements impossible through individual national efforts.

The address highlighted concrete institutional benefits: CARPHA’s pandemic response coordination, the RSS’s security architecture, the CXC’s educational standardization, and the CDB’s development financing. Drew argued these mechanisms demonstrate how functional cooperation translates into tangible improvements in citizen welfare and regional sovereignty.

Concluding with a call to reaffirm founding principles, the Chairman positioned CARICOM’s 50th meeting as both milestone and launching point for enhanced cooperation, economic coordination, and collective self-reliance across the Caribbean community.

ST. KITTS AND NEVIS – At the landmark 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Conference opening on February 24, youth ambassadors from St. Kitts and Nevis delivered a powerful call to action that resonated through the gathering of regional leaders. Aquanjé Robinson and Siobhan Phipps-Harding, serving as CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, articulated a compelling vision for tangible progress beyond diplomatic formalities.

Phipps-Harding extended a warm welcome on behalf of the host nation, expressing pride in staging this golden jubilee of Caribbean unity. However, she quickly pivoted to the core message: “Our Region’s people and youth are no longer looking for togetherness written in ink; but they are looking for progress etched into our landscapes.” This statement underscored the growing impatience with symbolic gestures without substantive implementation.

Both ambassadors identified critical challenges facing the Caribbean community, including climate volatility, unsustainable debt burdens, and brain drain migration patterns that deprive the region of its most talented citizens. They emphasized that these issues require more than discussion—they demand concrete solutions.

Robinson framed the Caribbean response through the lens of historical resilience: “Our resilience is not a modern buzzword; it is our inheritance. It is woven into our shared history, from the resistance of our ancestors to the reconstruction of our islands after every storm.” This resilience, he argued, must now translate into bold, purposeful action rather than mere survival.

The youth ambassadors outlined specific pillars for a transformed CARICOM: digital connectivity to bridge educational and economic divides, food security to reduce import dependency, and climate justice that provides actual protection for vulnerable communities. Their vision emphasized regional integration that transcends geographical separation.

Concluding with a unified message, both ambassadors reminded leaders: “Let this 50th Meeting be remembered not for the elegance of its speeches, but for the boldness of your vision and your implementation, moving beyond words, together.” They expressed confidence that “our Region’s future is bright because we are building it together,” signaling both hope and expectation for concrete outcomes from the historic gathering.

The Commonwealth of Dominica is initiating significant modifications to its decades-old Cuban Medical Workers Program, as revealed by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Vince Henderson during a parliamentary address this week. While maintaining diplomatic discretion, Henderson confirmed ongoing collaborative discussions with Cuban authorities to reformulate the program according to evolving national requirements.

This bilateral health initiative, rooted in principles of international solidarity, has provided Dominica with substantial medical support for over thirty years. Currently, more than 65 Cuban medical professionals deliver essential services across the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. The program’s historical significance was highlighted through several landmark achievements, including the establishment of Dominica’s first Intensive Care Unit and the Portsmouth diagnostic center, both staffed and operationalized through Cuban expertise.

Beyond direct medical provision, the partnership has fostered significant educational development, with approximately 150 Dominican medical graduates trained through Cuban institutions. Henderson expressed profound gratitude for Cuba’s consistent support despite its own resource constraints, characterizing the relationship as one of ‘true friendship’ that has endured through challenging periods.

The government emphasizes that restructuring efforts are being conducted cooperatively with Cuban partners to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services for Dominican citizens. Further details regarding specific program modifications will be disclosed following the completion of intergovernmental negotiations.

Cuban Ambassador Miguel Manuel Fraga González has issued a forceful rebuttal to what he characterizes as a “slanderous” disinformation campaign orchestrated by US diplomatic officials. The response comes following critical remarks made by the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Barbados regarding Cuba’s international medical cooperation programs.

The diplomatic communique presents a stark contrast between Cuba’s humanitarian outreach and United States foreign policy approaches. According to the Cuban government, over 605,000 Cuban health professionals have voluntarily participated in medical missions across 165 nations, delivering treatment to more than 2.3 billion patients and saving an estimated 12 million lives through surgical interventions, childbirth assistance, and comprehensive medical care.

Ambassador Fraga highlights that this medical diplomacy occurs despite Cuba operating under “a cruel regime of sanctions” imposed by the United States over six decades. The document cites international recognition of Cuba’s medical efforts, including acknowledgments from the World Health Organization and former President Barack Obama, who in 6 praised Cuban doctors’ service to poor and suffering populations.

The response sharply criticizes US foreign policy, noting that while Cuba has dispatched medical professionals globally, the United States has conducted military interventions in over 25 countries resulting in millions of casualties. The ambassador specifically references recent US military actions in the Caribbean Sea that allegedly resulted in more than 100 fatalities, described by UN experts as extrajudicial killings.

The Cuban government rejects accusations of “forced labor” in its medical missions as politically motivated falsehoods, emphasizing that participation is voluntary and governed by bilateral agreements respecting international law. The document concludes by condemning current US efforts to intensify economic pressure on Cuba, including attempts to restrict fuel shipments, which Havana views as attempted creation of a humanitarian crisis.