Former Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony has called for Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean to deepen their support for Cuba as the island faces continuing economic and social difficulties, saying the country has historically given much to the region without seeking political favors in return.
Anthony made the appeal while delivering the keynote address at weekend celebrations marking three milestones in Cuban sovereignty, where he also reflected on the enduring relationship between Saint Lucia and Cuba and his personal friendship with former Cuban President Fidel Castro.
He highlighted the extensive development cooperation between Cuba and the Caribbean Community, particularly in education, health, sports, culture and trade.
“The CARICOM-Cuba relationship boasts a very substantial portfolio of development cooperation covering the area of education, health, sports, culture and trade,” Anthony said.
He noted that Caribbean citizens had benefited from Cuban educational opportunities across a wide range of academic disciplines.
“Cuba’s assistance in this area has eclipsed by far the total assistance made available to the Caribbean community by our richest development partners combined,” he said.
Anthony urged Caribbean people to maintain their support for Cuba despite differences in political affiliation or ideology.
“First, we must continue to give our undying friendship, respect and admiration for the Cuban Revolution,” he said.
“No matter where you are on the political divide or the ideological spectrum, but there is so much in that revolution to admire.”
His comments come as Saint Lucia and other CARICOM countries continue to reflect on the longstanding relationship between the Caribbean and Cuba, which has included cooperation in areas ranging from healthcare and education to technical assistance and culture.
Anthony also drew on his own experience as Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister to describe the nature of Cuba’s relationship with the island.
“Never once in my entire tenure as Prime Minister of Saint Lucia did Fidel or any diplomatic functionary of Cuba request the favor of St. Lucia in return for what Cuba had done for Saint Lucia,” he said.
“Never once. Not even come to me to say to me that they want Saint Lucia to give diplomatic support to X or Y.”
Anthony said that experience demonstrated the respect Cuba had shown towards Caribbean states.
“That is the level and depth of respect that Cuba had for these islands,” he said.
Anthony said the circumstances facing Cuba make it important for Caribbean people to consider what they can do to support the country, even if Cuba has not formally asked for assistance.
“Cuba needs us now,” he declared.
He said Cuba had historically avoided asking Caribbean countries for favors in exchange for its assistance.
“Cuba, as I told you earlier, has never asked us for anything in return,” Anthony said.
He pointed to the difficulties being experienced by the Cuban population, including restricted access to basic services.
“Even as Cuba is enduring this pain and this anguish, even as its population is denied access to basic services, Cuba has never begged. Cuba has never asked. Cuba has never pleaded,” he said.
For Anthony, however, the absence of a formal request for help should not prevent the Caribbean from responding.
“That’s not the point. That is not the point. We now must allow our humanity to speak for us,” he said.
His appeal comes as Saint Lucia prepares to mark the 100th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s birth, providing an opportunity to reflect not only on Castro’s political legacy but also on the relationship he developed with Caribbean leaders, including Anthony.
The former Prime Minister’s remarks placed that relationship within a broader call for solidarity, suggesting that meaningful support for Cuba could become one of the ways Saint Lucia demonstrates its appreciation for the assistance and friendship Cuba has extended to the region over decades.