Guyana welcomes historic thaw in Cuba-US ties

The Government of Guyana has welcomed the decision announced yesterday by US President Barack Obama to normalise diplomatic and economic ties between the United States and the Republic of Cuba.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said that the Guyana Government views this as a progressive step towards constructive relations between the United States and Cuba “which will redound to the benefit of these two countries and the hemisphere as (a) whole”.

The Government congratulated 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”.

The Guyana Government also saluted Cuban President Raul Castro on the progress made which Georgetown said was no doubt occasioned by his continued willingness to dialogue with Obama.

The Guyana Government said it also wished to acknowledge the “critical role played by Pope Francis and the Vatican and the Government of Canada” in facilitating talks between the US and Cuba.

“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 added.