St. George’s, April 9, 2012 – A move is currently afoot to solidify and harmonize the Cuba solidarity support-base in Grenada.
Grenada and Cuba have 33 years of formal diplomatic relations, which include hundreds of free scholarships to Grenadians to study at universities in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean nation.
Over the years, dozens of former scholarships winners, as well as other Grenadians, have formed various groups that provide support and solidarity to Cuba.
Representatives of the groups met recently at the Cuban Embassy in St. George’s, and agreed to forge stronger ties and work closer together.
A five-member interim committee has been set up to spearhead the planned consolidation of local solidarity and support for Cuba, which has been under a United States-imposed economic embargo for over 50 years.
Among the established groups that are involved in the discussions on consolidation are Amigos de Cuba, comprising mainly Grenadians who have studied in Cuba; Grenada-Cuba Friendship Association; and Grenadian workers associated with the construction of the Maurice Bishop International Airport between 1980 and 1983.
Secretary to the interim committee, Vyra Mc Queen, expressed optimism that the initiative will strengthen and broaden Cuba’s active support-base in Grenada.
“This initiative will bring together not only the various established Cuba-support groups, but also other persons and groups that would like to show their solidarity with Cuba as a way of expressing their gratitude for the tremendous contribution that Cuba has made, and continues to make, in the lives of our people,’’ she explained.
Apart from ongoing university scholarships, Grenadians have also benefitted from Cuba’s “Miracle Eye Programme’’.
Under the programme, scores of Grenadians have been receiving successful surgical treatment to restore the quality of their sight.
Cuba was also instrumental in constructing the new General Hospital in St. George’s.
In addition, the Cuban Government and people are providing Grenada with specialists in various fields of service including medicine, engineering, architecture, and education.