by Linda Straker
- Grenada and Cuba established diplomatic relations from 1979 until 1983 and resumed relations in 1994
- PM Mitchell led delegation to Cuba in 2024 and signed several agreements, including for health and agriculture
- Cuba has contributed and continues to contribute to Grenada university graduates, including at least 4 current MPs
Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Andall said that Grenada not only has a legal, moral and ethical obligation to stand by the people of Cuba, but the country should avoid being opportunistic or transactional as it pertains to the relations between both countries.
“Cuba continues to be a trustworthy friend and partner not only of Grenada, not only of the Caribbean but of people the world over. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, Cuban doctors went as far as Italy to provide services; I did not hear anybody talk about human trafficking and things like that,” Andall told Parliament while contributing to the 2025 budget debate.
“We have not just a legal obligation, a moral and ethical obligation to stand by the people of Cuba; our health infrastructure will collapse without the generous intervention of Cuba and for that we must always take a principle stand,” he said.
Besides the country’s healthcare system, Andall said that Cuba has contributed and continues to contribute to Grenada university graduates. “Was it not for the selfless support of Cuba, many of us would not have had the opportunity for further education that we got,” said Andall as he identified at least 4 current Members of Parliament (MPS) who pursued and achieved university education in Cuba.
In late February US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington announced “the expansion of an existing Cuba-related visa restriction policy that targets forced labour linked to the Cuban labour export programme” relating that “This expanded policy applies to current or former Cuban government officials, and other individuals, including foreign government officials, who are believed to be responsible for, or involved in, the Cuban labour export programme, particularly Cuba’s overseas medical missions.”
Grenada and Cuba formally established diplomatic relations on 14 April 1979 until November 1983 due to the collapse of the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG). The relationship resumed in 1994, and since then, hundreds of Cuban medical personnel have provided services to Grenada’s healthcare system for various periods.
In 2024, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell led a delegation to Cuba on an official visit and several agreements were signed with the Cuban government in several areas, including health and agriculture.
The US continues to try to bully countries in what seems like an attempt to rule the world. What they don’t realize or maybe don’t care is that Cuba has done more for the Caribbean than the US has ever done. Cuba has not required the smaller islands to sell their souls like the US and China has. We stand with Cuba. Without them, our islands would not have the health services that we do. America is a disgrace for trying to strong arm the Caribbean to remove all Cubans from our medical facilities. Rubio is a disgrace to his Cuban heritage. The Caribbean will survive without their leaders having visas to the US. To our leaders, stand strong, we the people are depending on you to shut this nonsense down.
Tell Rubio loud and clear we are in nobody’s backyard.