CARICOM Optimistic with Reestablishment of Cuba-US Relations

The President of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Perry Christie, described today here as an opportunity for the region, the future restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba. During the first day of the Summit of the regional mechanism, Christie - also Prime Minister of Bahamas - urged to boost initiatives with Cuba.

"Best late than never, we should make a study on the visibility of the region and take advantage of this unique opportunity to develop a multi-destination with the Cuban initiative, he said.

On December 17, both countries announced the decision to re-establish diplomatic relations after more than half a century of its rupture.

During his speech, Christie also referred to the need for the Caricom a compromise in the areas of education, culture and sport, as well as prioritize equal opportunities for women.

Similarly, the president of this mechanism expressed concern over the dependence of the region on the import of food.

"It is time that we produce what we can and only buy what we need. This should be the mantra of Caricom," he added.

During the day there were interventions by the director general of the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture, José Graziano da Silva, who pointed out that despite advances, 7.5 million people suffer from hunger and malnutrition in the Caribbean.

In addition to Bahamas, the Caricom is formed by Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.