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Chand said: “It was a wise decision and one, as the motion indicates, that has proven beneficial to Guyana. Indeed, I would say mutually beneficial.”
He recalled that, in 1972 when the four Caribbean nations, including Guyana, established diplomatic links with socialist Cuba, a taboo was overcome as; in the context of the times that was a courageous move.
Chand reminded the House of the victorious Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro in 1959 and the July 26 Movement that triggered the wrath and fury of United States (U.S.) imperialism.
“The march of history in Cuba and on our continent had to be stopped and reversed. To this end, we saw a number of reactionary developments in Latin America, Central America and the Caribbean,” he continued.
He added that not only revolutionary Cuba and its leaders were targeted but other progressive ones of those regions as well.
Cold War
Chand also recalled that State-to-State contacts came about more than 12 years after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution and six years after Guyana achieved political independence, at a juncture when the Cold War was still fiercely conducted.
“We are aware of some of the horrendous manifestations of that war in Guyana, in Latin American and elsewhere. Given this context, State relations with Cuba were a bold move, which, at once, made another breach in the policy of isolationism of that sister Caribbean country,” he asserted.
Chand emphasised that it is important to note that diplomatic relations between Guyana and Cuba took place under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government and it was an act that the PPP readily commended and supported.
“For us, years of advocacy for such relations finally bore fruit. For us, this was an act, a tangible demonstration of solidarity for a government and people which had embarked on the novel path of genuine independence, self-determination and social progress,” he maintained.
While noting that State relations with Cuba saw local politicians taking a united stand in 1972, Chand said that year was not really the beginning of contacts with Cuba’s revolutionary leaders, government and people.
Instead, he said they began in the first years of the victorious revolution when the new-born Cuba was still struggling to get on its feet.
According to him, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, defying the odds, forged strong links with the new Cuba and while the latter may have paid a heavy price for his audacity then, those links were clearly based on principles, commitment and foresight.
“Time, the achievements of Cuba and its people and the benefits accruing to Guyana based on our relations indicate that our early links had a sound foundation,” Chand reaffirmed.
He observed that in the 40 years gone by since the opening of State relations, various speakers have identified the positive and invaluable assistance coming from Cuba
Formidable challenges
At the same time, he called on Members of the House to recognise that the assistance rendered was in a prolonged period, still ongoing and of formidable challenges to that country.
Such a realisation adds greater value to that assistance, he confirmed, stating that, though Cuba has been plagued by many unfortunate events, including the Cubana Air disaster and numerous natural disasters, the nation remains undaunted and true to its people-oriented vision.
“It stands out as a beacon to peoples who yearn for freedom, for the poor and powerless who dream of a future of social justice and dignity, of a world of peace and of a new type of democracy, a genuine people’s democracy,” Chand attested.
In addition, he said the years after 1972 have seen steady development in the relationship between the two countries and alluded to the fact that, today, hundreds of Guyanese can be found in schools in Cuba and, invariably, Cubans and the Cuban-trained personnel are in local institutions.
Moreover, he stated that, in many ways, the ties between the two nations have been strengthened.
“Exchanges at the political, government and several social organisations are frequent. We are generally on the same side in solidarity activities, whether such relate to just causes at the global level or natural calamities faced by nations,” Chand said.
He said, as a country at the helm of selfless, committed and revolutionary leadership, Cuba has chosen a path with a development model that is an inspiration to many.
With an economic crisis that has swallowed up the developed capitalist world and now entering its sixth year, the relevance of Cuba’s model, especially for developing countries, needs to be reassessed and not dismissed.
