THE Government of Guyana welcomes the decision announced yesterday by President Barrack Obama to normalise diplomatic and economic ties with the Republic of Cuba.In a press statement last evening, the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Georgetown said the Government of Guyana views this as a progressive step towards the development of constructive relations between the United States of America and Cuba which will redound to the benefit of these two countries and the hemisphere as whole.

“The Government wishes to congratulate President Obama on this brave and just decision and hopes that these actions will lead to an early end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade which the United States of America has pursued for the last 54 years against the Cuban people. It is our hope that the measures announced will be implemented without any hindrance.
“We congratulate and salute President Raul Castro on the headways made which were no doubt occasioned by his continued willingness to dialogue with President Barack Obama.
“We also wish to acknowledge the critical role played by Pope Francis and the Vatican and the Government of Canada in facilitating the discussions between the United States of America and Cuba which have resulted in this promising end.
“The Government of Guyana will continue to stand in solidarity with the Government and people of Cuba in pursuit of the removal of the blockade, even as we salute the nation of Cuba for their unwavering strength against this unjust policy,” the statement concluded..