Cuba’s new ambassador to SVG gives new commitments

The recently appointed Cuban Ambassador and his family. Photo published by API.

By Admin. Updated 1:31 p.m., Friday, May 24, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The newly appointed Cuban Ambassador to St. Vincent and the Grenadines His Excellency Carlos Ernesto Rodriguez Etchverry has pledged to deepen the bilateral relationship and enhance cooperation between the two nations, according to the Agency for Public Information (API).

“H.E. Carlos Etcheverry, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines presented his credentials to H.E. Dame Susan Dougan, GCMG, OBE, Governor General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at the Government House on April 5, 2024,” according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

He succeeded H.E. José Manuel Leyva Ventura who served as Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to St. Vincent and the Grenadines since December 12, 2019.

In his first exclusive interview since taking office, the Ambassador said there is a renewed commitment to mutual growth and partnership, setting a promising tone for future collaborations, the API said in a May 22 press release.

“The Ambassador stressed that the deep cultural and historical ties between Cuba and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been instrumental in fostering a strong and enduring relationship,” the press release stated.

In the press the API said: “Highlighting the critical role of Cuban medical missions, the Ambassador praised the dedication of Cuban doctors and healthcare professionals who have served in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These missions have significantly contributed to public health improvements in the country. The Ambassador gave the assurance that these medical missions would not only continue but potentially expand to address critical health needs more effectively including other areas where engineers are needed to improve roads and infrastructure”.

The API said education was also a key focus, with the Ambassador discussing various scholarship programs and academic exchanges that have allowed Vincentian students to pursue higher education in Cuba.

“Looking to the future, the Ambassador outlined several new areas of collaboration, including sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and cultural exchanges. These projects, he noted, are aimed at leveraging the unique strengths of each country, promoting sustainable development and resilience in the face of global challenges such as climate change,” th API said.

“The Ambassador reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to standing alongside St. Vincent and the Grenadines, working together to achieve common goals and improve the quality of life for citizens in both countries,” the API said.

The Republic of Cuba and St. Vincent and the Grenadines established diplomatic relations on May 26th, 1992, a period of over 30 years.