A Caribbean united in solidarity is our only way forward
• Raúl affirms in the opening ceremony of the
4th CARICOM-Cuba summit

Yaima Puig Meneses

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago.— The capital awoke under a pleasant and clear sky this December 8. It was the beginning of yet another historic day for the Caribbean nations, including Cuba, gathered with the evident purpose of advancing along the path of economic integration, coordination of their common services and multifaceted cooperation.

In the morning, President Raúl Castro arrived at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, venue of the 4th CARICOM-Cuba Summit. He was received by the Prime Minister Kamla Persard-Bissessar and Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communications.

After a brief tour through the facility’s decorated corridors, the Caribbean dignitaries entered the hall where the Summit´s inaugural ceremony was to take place. The first row was occupied by heads of delegations, with the Cuban President in the center between Prime Minister Kamla Persard-Bissessar and Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts & Nevis, in his capacity of CARICOM president.

The inaugural ceremony began with the national anthems of Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago. The rest of the Cuban delegation, including Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, Vice President of the Council of Ministers; Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, were also present.

Opening the Summit, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, CARICOM secretary general, emphasized the need to explore all possible avenues for increasing cooperation in the most diverse sectors. He also recognized Cuba's contribution to the development of the Caribbean countries and noted that new agreements to be adopted will reinforce the commitment of sisterhood and friendship in the coming years.

Next to speak was Prime Minister Kamla Persard-Bissessar, who recalled the four Caribbean leaders – Errol Barrow of Barbados, Forbes Burnham of Guyana, Michael Manley of Jamaica, and Eric Williams of Trinidad y Tobago – who, on December 8, 1972, decided to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, perceiving the island as an undisputable part of the Caribbean community.

She also alluded to the historical stand taken by CARICOM member countries of voting in favor of the Cuban resolution condemning the unjust U.S. economic blockade, prompting applause from the audience.

The Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago also thanked Cuba for proposals to increase the number of projects benefiting Caribbean countries in the fields of culture, sports, science, technology, the environment, health and transportation.

She ended her speech by expressing her admiration for Cuba’s fraternity and generosity which, despite the financial challenges which lie ahead, is helping and sharing what it has with other Caribbean countries.

A musical interlude followed, applauded by the audience, which began with a particular melody well known to Cubans, Caetano Veloso’s Capullito de Alelí.

Prime Minister of Saint Kitts & Nevis Denzil Douglas, as current president of CARICOM, once again recalled that this December 8 marks another anniversary of the bold and unprecedented decision taken by four Caribbean nations, when they sent the clear message to the world that Cuba is a vital part of the Americas.

He continued by stating that, as small islands nations with limited resources, it is important to join efforts and work in order to strengthen shared principles. This summit, he said, offers us a magnificent opportunity to consolidate Caribbean cooperation and develop South-South relations.

In what was the final speech of the opening session of the Summit, President Raúl Castro took the floor. He began by congratulating the musicians who played in the ceremony, who, in his opinion, "have the ability, as yet another display of the Caribbean peoples, to make the steel drums speak."

He went on to thank the people and government of Trinidad and Tobago for the demonstrations of friendship and solidarity shown to the Cuban delegation since their arrival in this sister nation. He especially acknowledged the wonderful preparations for the Summit and the dedication with which Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her government helped create the conditions for it.

Raúl recalled that next year is the 40th anniversary of the historic event of December 8, 1972, of significance to the Caribbean and even more so to Cuba. He announced that the island is marking that date by dedicating the 2012 Havana International Book Fair, the most important cultural event of Cuba’s publishing movement, to the Caribbean peoples, their works and authors, in recognition of our peoples’ shared culture and thinking.

He concluded by stressing, "A Caribbean united and in solidarity, is our only way forward. The cooperation that we have developed among ourselves has produced undeniable achievements in the areas of health, education, agriculture and confronting natural disasters, already cited this morning by the Honorable Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. Cuba confirms its commitment to continue strengthening relations with CARICOM member countries and to find formulas that will allow for the execution of new projects of cooperation and increase the efficiency of those already existing."

As the Cuban President was leaving the small theater where the ceremony took place, he was greeted by many people, responding with a respectful gesture to all of them and agreeing to photo shots. The Cuban delegation was visibly moved by all these displays of affection.

After the official lunch given by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, the heads of state and/or delegations initiated the Summit’s plenary session, in which they discussed regional and hemispheric integration, climate change, renewable energy, disaster mitigation and cooperation in the field of health.

There was also space for issues such as the trafficking of illicit light weapons, drug trafficking, non-communicable diseases, the current situation in Haiti and cooperation between CARICOM and Cuban institutions.

The Summit provided an arena to explore new areas of cooperation and another opportunity for strengthening cooperation, expanding investments and further developing economic relations between the Caribbean and Cuba.

Before the session concluded, on behalf of the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Raúl conveyed to the Summit Fidel’s fidelity to its ideas and his warm embrace of all those present. His words were received with applause, in itself demonstrating the great significance of actions taken to strengthen the island’s relations with the Caribbean community, motivated by the Cuban leader.

The meeting also approved the Declaration of Port of Spain, reiterating the Caribbean nations’ strong commitment to the principles of international law, respect for sovereign equality, non-intervention and non-interference in internal affairs, enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

The Declaration included a strong condemnation of the U.S. unilateral and extraterritorial enforcement of coercive laws and illegal measures which violate these rights. One example of this was the latest provocation preventing the Trinidadian government from holding the summit at the Hilton Hotel, as this would breach blockade regulations.

In condemnation of this decision, the 4th CARICOM-Cuba Summit decided to approve a special communiqué, making it clear that Caribbean nations will not allow any further attempt to enforce extraterritorial laws preventing the exercise of their sovereignty.

In his closing address, CARICOM President Denzil Douglas sent greetings to Fidel Castro on behalf of all the Caribbean countries and once again gave thanks to those Caribbean leaders who, 39 years ago, signed the declaration which made possible the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Caribbean.

Then, in simple but moving words, he assured Raúl that, in any international forum where Cuba might not have a voice, it would have that of the Caribbean community, to which the Cuban President responded with a warm embrace, saying that it was extended to all the participants.