Cuban President Dr. Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez Makes Historic Visit to Belize
His Excellency Doctor Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez is the first Cuban leader to visit Belize. This made his visit on Sunday a historic occasion. President Diaz-Canel, his wife and a host of Cuban diplomats arrived at the Phillip Goldson International Airport just before ten thirty a.m., from an official visit to Mexico. There they were greeted by a waiting party lead by the Governor General of Belize Froyla Tzalam and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Eamon Courtenay. The delegation was then whisked off to the Government House for an entire day of official events. In attendance at the Government House were members of the National Assembly and the diplomatic core. We note that Moses “Shyne” Barrow, the Leader of the Opposition, and Denise Barrow were the only two opposition members not in attendance. And, while Patrick Faber was present, he was not seated with the other representatives. Notwithstanding the opposition’s majority show of support, during his address Prime Minister John Briceño called for the lifting of the embargo by the United States and the removal of Cuba from the U.S’s terrorist watch list. The total length of the trip was seven hours, from the time the Cuban delegation arrived in Belize to their departure. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
His Excellency Doctor Miguel Diaz- Canel Bermudez, the First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party and the President of the Republic of Cuba, touched down at the Phillip Goldson International Airport on Sunday for a historic visit to Belize. The President was accompanied by his wife, Her Excellency Doctor Lis Cuesta Peraza, and a host of other Cuban dignitaries, including the Republic’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Public Health, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Cuban Ambassador to Belize.
Duane Moody, Commentator
“The official welcome”
Sabreena Daly, Commentator
“Yes, that is Ambassador Amalia Mai, the C.E.O. in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs meeting the President and his wife, Doctor Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez and his wife Doctor Lis Cuesta Peraza. We have the President receiving the salute and the national anthem.”
Flanked by the Governor General of Belize, Dame Froyla Tzalam, and Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eamon Courtenay and his C.E.O. Amalia Mai, the Cuban President, his wife, and the rest of the Cuban delegation were escorted off the tarmac and transported to the Government House under heavy security. Upon arrival at the Government House in Belize City, Prime Minister John Briceño welcomed the Cuban President to Belize.
April Martinez, Commentator
“We have the arrival of His Excellency Miguel Diaz Canel Bermudez along with his lovely wife.”
Prime Minister John Briceño led the Cuban delegation to a brief meet and greet. Inside that room, the Governor General of Belize Dame Froyla Tzalam was seated next to the Cuban President. A bilateral meeting was held immediately following the meet and greet, where two cooperation agreements were signed between both nations.
April Martinez
“Belize has had bilateral relations with Cuba almost for the past twenty-eight years, this coming year here and Belize has had this exchange with Cuba in terms of medical trainings, in terms of education and so forth. It is such a wonderful moment to see them finally seated in a room together here in Belize.”
While the bilateral meetings were underway, invited guests began to arrive for a Special Sitting of the House of Representatives. The special sitting included members of the House of Representatives, members of the Senate, and a host of other guests, including members of the diplomatic community.
Jose Abelardo Mai
Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture
“The President deserves only the best welcome from Belizeans. What I see here is very impressive and I am sure that he will love being in Belize.”
Henry Charles Usher
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service
“I actually just got back from Cuba. I was there visiting their Parliament and their Constitutional Reform Commission. As you know, we are going through the exact same process here in Belize. So, we were there to learn how they consulted, what type of consultations and the process they use. So, certainly this visit comes at a welcome time.”
April Martinez
“What do you think George Price would say right now if he was here?”
Henry Charles Usher
“He would say, welcome Mr. President.”
Oscar Requeña
Oscar Requeña, Minister of Labor
“I want to say that as a Belizean, I feel very proud, very strong of that support, that bilateral relationship we have had with Cuba. Historically as many have pointed out, Cuba is one of the first countries that actually supported our bid for Independence and that is significant. When everybody else was making up their minds. Cuba was there with us in solidarity and we have seen how that relationship has strengthened and grown over the years.”
Following the hour-long bilateral meeting, Prime Minister John Briceño and President Miguel Diaz- Canel Bermudez led the way from inside the Government House to the area prepared for the special sitting. Prime Minister Briceño was the first to give an address.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Your visit, the first state visit by a Cuban President is yet another expression of this binding friendship and is most welcomed by my government and the Belizean people. Five months from now Belize and Cuba will celebrate twenty eight years of diplomatic relations. These twenty-eight years, marked by a robust commitment to constructive and meaningful collaboration. This morning our collaboration was further enhanced by the signing of two more agreements, an agreement on culture and a memorandum of understanding on immigration. Senior Presidente, the Cuban people hold a special place in the heart and minds of Belizeans and of people all over the world, because of their unparallel generosity of spirit. We continue to urge the United States Government to remove Cuba from state sponsors terrorism list as there is no legal nor moral justification for Cuba to remain.”
President Miguel Diaz- Canel Bermudez’s then made his address.
Miguel Diaz- Canel Bermudez
Dr. Miguel Diaz- Canel Bermudez, President, Republic of Cuba
“Over one thousand Cubans have provided services to Belize since 1990 when the Cuban Medical Cooperation first started here. Other sectors have also benefitted from our relations, including education, construction, sports and culture. Today, one hundred and twenty-two Cubans share their expertise with brothers and sisters in the Caribbean in areas of sports and health care. Dozens of health young Cubans have benefited from the English language training program offered by Belize. The pandemic was compounded by the flare-up of the commercial economic and financial blockade being imposed by the U.S. that has been condemned by the people and Government of Belize in a consistent fashion and I thank you for that on behalf of Cuba. This visit is also a first a first step in compliance with the resolution adopted at the eight CARICOM-Cuba Summit. Let me confirm, rest assured you will always be able to rely on Cuba in the face of the immense challenges ahead of the small state of immense perpetually such as ours, we will always be there. Long live the brotherly relationship between Belize and Cuba.”
Following the special sitting, the Cuban delegation attended a lunch at the House of Culture featuring dishes prepared by renowned Chef Sean Kuylen. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
