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Cuba and Venezuela: 14 years of
cooperation
The Cuba-Venezuela Comprehensive Agreement is
celebrating its 14th anniversary, implementing a
variety of social programs throughout the entire
country, key among which are those of public health
and education. Over this period, mutually beneficial
economic and social projects have been developed,
guided by the spirit of their creators: historic
leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro and
former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
 On
October 30, 2000, both dignitaries signed the
Caracas Agreement, resulting in the expansion of
bilateral relations.
In addition to being of mutual benefit to both
nations, the document supports Latin American and
Caribbean integration.
Important within the Agreement is the Barrio Adentro
mission, designed to strengthen the public health
system and which, according to official statistics,
has provided 617 million consultations free of
charge.
According to the vice president of Venezuela, Jorge
Arreaza, thanks to the alliance 1.7 million
Venezuelans have been taught to read through
Operation Robinson and the eye sight of 1.9 million
citizens has been restored as part of Operation
Miracle, to treat people with ophthalmologic
diseases.
Some 1,781,922 Venezuelans have been taught to read
through Cuba’s educational program “Yo sí puedo”
(Yes, I can).
Among the sectors which benefit from Cuba-Venezuela
cooperation are: sports, culture, food-agriculture,
energy, housing, transport, construction, finances,
trade and industry. (PL)
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