– As Guyana, Cuba celebrate 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations

AS of 2021, a total of 1,149 Guyanese have graduated after studying in Cuba in the field of medicine and scores have benefitted from scholarships as the two countries mark their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations tomorrow.

This is according to the President of the Guyana-Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM) Halim Khan.

Guyana established diplomatic relations with Cuba on December 8, 1972, after becoming independent from the United Kingdom.

Khan noted that Cuba had provided collaboration and professional training to over 50,000 students in 70 countries and had brigades of medical professionals there.

He noted that hundreds of thousands of Cubans had fulfilled international missions in different sectors like education, construction and health with its ‘Army of White Coats’ that contributed to saving lives daily and helping to elevate the quality of life and expectancy around the world.

Mr Khan also noted the historical and strategic nature of bilateral ties, part of the legacy of the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, which was continued by Army General, Raul Castro, and President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Khan added that Cuba is a faithful ally.

“Guyana and Cuba share a close, cordial relationship characterised by friendship, fruitful exchanges, political and economic solidarity and tangible programmes of co-operation particularly in the fields of education, culture and health,” Khan explained.

Further, the GCSM President noted that the local health sector, in particular, has been boosted by the dividends of Guyana-Cuba relations.

He explained that Cuba continues to provide a large number of scholarships in the fields of agriculture, engineering and medicine to Guyanese students and young professionals.