Photo: President Miguel Diáz-Canel Bermudez

by Kory Leslie (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Tues. Feb. 7, 2023

The Government of Belize is preparing to make history in the next few days by welcoming the First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party and President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Diáz-Canel Bermudez to the country. Notably, Belize and Cuba have shared nearly 28 years of diplomatic relations, which was reaffirmed in April of 2022 when President Diaz-Canel Bermudez hosted Prime Minister Briceño and a delegation that accompanied him to Cuba in hopes of strengthening our “strong friendship rooted in cooperation, shared values and mutual respect.”

In a press release highlighting the 27th anniversary of our nations’ bilateral ties dated July 15, 2022, the GoB had referred to the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba as “unjust circumstances” and had called for an immediate end to the blockade, further pledging Belizeans’ solidarity with the nation. Less than one year later, the GoB has announced that H.E. Miguel Diáz-Canel Bermudez will be the first Cuban president to pay a diplomatic visit on Belizean soil on February 12, 2023.

According to that press statement, the agenda for H.E. Diaz-Cal Bermudez’s visit will entail: “A Special Sitting of the National Assembly, a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, as well as the signing of two agreements.”

During our years of partnership, over 100 Belizean students have been able to benefit from scholarship programs at Cuban universities. Belize’s medical sector has also benefited greatly from the entry of Cuban medical professionals into our healthcare system, especially during the onset of Covid-19 when staff and resources were under great strain given the number of hospitalizations caused by the virus. According to the GoB there were approximately 118 Cuban persons working in Belize’s public sector up to 2022.