Cuba

A weather disturbance with disorganized showers moving west across the Caribbean Sea had Belizeans on alert when it was forecast to become a major storm, with the possibility of heading towards Belize. The storm has developed into Hurricane Ian. According to the most recent models, its path will take it away from Belize, heading north towards western Cuba and the state of Florida in the United States.

July 15, 2022 marked 27 years of established diplomatic relations between Belize and Cuba. The bilateral relationship between Belize and Cuba is a true example of a good neighbour, friend and comrade. Both countries have cultivated a strong friendship rooted in cooperation, shared values and mutual respect.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, June 15th, the first since he took office in 2020, Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. John Briceño said he did not chastise the United States (US) President Joseph Biden during his speech at the recent Summit of the Americas. Briceño made headlines when he openly criticized the decision of the US host to exclude Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela from the summit held June 6-10 in Los Angeles, California, on the west coast of the US.

The Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, implemented by UNESCO and funded by the European Union, has joined hands with the Goethe Institute and the Centre for InterAmerican Studies at the Bielefeld University in Berlin to strengthen the international market exposure of Caribbean hip-hop artists. To this end, it has launched a call to sponsor the participation of up to three music projects of the genre in the International Festival and Symposium "Re-inventing Europe from the Caribbean. Urban Cultures, Translocal Identities and Social Movements in the Black Atlantic", which will take place in Berlin, Germany, from 28 to 31 July 2022. 

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has embarked on a five-day tour of several Central American countries and Cuba. He started his official trip to Guatemala on Thursday, May 5th, and will then visit El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, and Cuba. The main topics to be discussed include assistance in development and trade and exploring ways to alleviate migration pressure from the said region.

Belize and Cuba have long enjoyed strong diplomatic relations, and both nations have helped each other in every possible way. Cuba has continued to help Belize with medical brigades, particularly in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. In return, Belize sent the first of two humanitarian donations over the weekend with supplies valued at BZ$200,000.

The Belize-Cuba bilateral relationship bears all the signal markers and achievements of a robust, deep and fruitful partnership. The two countries have implemented a multitude of cooperation agreements covering many areas such as agriculture, health, education, and tourism. Belize and Cuba have undertaken many high-level visits, expressed positions of mutual support in international fora, and engaged cultural, sporting, and diplomatic accreditation exchanges. At critical moments of national disasters and in this COVID-19 pandemic, both countries have extended assistance to one another.

On March 25th, members of the business community in Belize donated more than BZ$8,000.00 worth of supplies at short notice to assist Cuba with its efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.