SVG/CUBA Friendship Society welcomes Obama/Castro move

Fri, Dec 19, 2014

The St Vincent and the Grenadines/Cuba Friendship Society wholeheartedly applauds the announcements made today, Wednesday December 17, 2014, in both Havana and Washington, of significant actions which will greatly improve relations at both a state-to-state and people-to-people level between the respective countries.{{more}}

The measures, announced by US President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro, involve actions to lead to a resumption of diplomatic relations between the USA and Cuba, an ease of restrictions on travel and commercial relations and US State Department commitment to remove the American designation of Cuba as a “state sponsor of terrorism.”

In addition, both countries released prisoners being held on charges of spying or interference in the affairs of each other. Cuba has freed Allan Gross, whose imprisonment was an obstacle to improved relations as well as a long-held US intelligence officer, whilst the USA has freed the remaining three of the famous “Cuban Five”.

Though there remains significant differences between both countries and the US embargo on Cuba remains intact, the SVG/Cuba Friendship Society is of the view that the steps announced today represent an enlightened approach towards resolving long-standing differences and wholeheartedly support them while remaining steadfast in its support for an end to the embargo and a normalisation of relations between the USA and Cuba.

Renwick Rose

President