Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
PM Gonsalves tells Vincentian students in Cuba to ‘hold on’
Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves
News
October 11, 2019

PM Gonsalves tells Vincentian students in Cuba to ‘hold on’

The suggestion that St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) should provide food to Vincentian students studying in Cuba is not a very good one according to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

“How can we go and take food and take it to Cuba as some unthinking persons are asking to feed Vincentian students? What about the Cuban students? What about the other nationalities? What about the Cuban people themselves?” Gonsalves asked during a press briefing on Monday at Cabinet Room.

The Prime Minister was reacting to reports that Cuba is suffering from a deepening economic crisis brought on by a fuel shortage caused by the United States (US) continued blockade against Cuba and Venezuela. Venezuela supplies oil to Cuba but a US blockade against Venezuela is preventing ships from taking oil to Cuba. As a result, Cuba is undergoing a food shortage and Vincentians and other students are feeling the pinch.

“We are very, very sympathetic and touched and it pains us that the students who are there have to endure hardship,” Gonsalves said on Monday.

He said he has read several suggestions about what should be done for the students, but he is asking them to hold on.

“When the difficulties come, we have to take the rough with the smooth and I know families in some individual ways are trying to help, but this is a temporary difficulty.”

He said he has been told that the challenges now, are nowhere near as challenging as those that existed in the “Special Period” when the Soviet Union collapsed.

The Special Period in Time of Peace in Cuba was an extended period of economic crisis that began in 1991 primarily due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Some students are referring to the crisis now as the “Second Special Period”.

The Prime Minister told reporters that students are bearing whatever discomfort and hardship they are encountering with equanimity.

“That doesn’t mean that you would enjoy a discomfort, but they don’t want to throw in their towel and I want to say to them continue to be strong and do your work as best as you can in all of the circumstances.”

Gonsalves said his government is monitoring the situation with the Cuban government and this country’s ambassador to Cuba Ellsworth John.

He advised those who have a bitterness towards Cuba to drop it as Cuba has contributed to this country in many ways. Gonsalves said Cuba has educated hundreds of our people free, contributed to the building of the Argyle International Airport (AIA) and contributes to our healthcare system.

The Prime Minister said it is wrong to attack Cuba during this crisis.

“You mean to tell me that because there is now a difficulty in Cuba you using this as an opportunity to attack Cuba and the Cuban government and not make the criticism at those who are breaking international law by having a blockade around Cuba.

“…continuing this blockade, putting pressure on Venezuela where Venezuela can’t send the fuel to Cuba because they are sanctioning the ships. Those are the people to whom the critical comments should be directed,” stated Gonsalves.

He said he is very sympathetic to the Cuban people for what he considers an economic war being waged against them by the most powerful country in the world.

“It is a sin to make people suffer like that,” said Gonsalves.

He said the Cuban government awards our students full scholarships which include tuition and free board and lodging.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Free movement of  people in 4 Caricom states begins tomorrow
    Front Page
    Free movement of people in 4 Caricom states begins tomorrow
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Many Vincentians and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals are welcoming the decision by four CARICOM governments to institute the free moveme...
    ‘Unprincipled  non-state operators in Europe seeking to pollute” elections in SVG – PM Gonsalves
    Front Page
    ‘Unprincipled non-state operators in Europe seeking to pollute” elections in SVG – PM Gonsalves
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, told the United Nations (UN) General Assembly a few days ago that entities in the international sphere are seeking...
    Bramble promises $1 million from CBI money for 50  businesses in East Kingstown
    Front Page
    Bramble promises $1 million from CBI money for 50 businesses in East Kingstown
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), moved its campaign to Sion Hill last Saturday, September, 27,2025 as it seeks to retain its hold on the Eas...
    PM calls at U N meeting for better deal for Taiwan, Haiti
    Front Page
    PM calls at U N meeting for better deal for Taiwan, Haiti
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves renewed his call at the United Nations for the inclusion of Taiwan in the organisation’s specialised agencies. Deli...
    Over EC$700,000 paid to VincyMas 2025 Winners
    Front Page
    Over EC$700,000 paid to VincyMas 2025 Winners
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    More than EC$700,000 in prize money was handed out to the 2025 VincyMas winners, on Sunday night, September, 28,2025, at Carnival City, Victoria Park....
    Caribbean launches Shelter Working Group to boost Disaster Preparedness
    Press Release
    Caribbean launches Shelter Working Group to boost Disaster Preparedness
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    As the Atlantic Hurricane season reaches its peak, more than 47 disaster management professionals from across the Caribbean and beyond have joined for...
    News
    Rose Place woman  remanded for threatening to “blow out” man’s head
    From the Courts, News
    Rose Place woman remanded for threatening to “blow out” man’s head
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    A woman who resides at Rose Place was remanded after threatening to “blow out” a farmer’s head. Rasharma Pollard appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’...
    Court grants father’s request for jail time for his son
    From the Courts, News
    Court grants father’s request for jail time for his son
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    A father’s request was granted when his son, who had pointed a gun at him, was imprisoned. Simon Simmons appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court ...
    Cervical cancer initiative launched in SVG
    News
    Cervical cancer initiative launched in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented and even eliminated, provided that countries strengthen their vaccination, screening, ...
    Prayer sustains woman  caring for her husband who has Alzheimer’s Disease
    News
    Prayer sustains woman caring for her husband who has Alzheimer’s Disease
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    The world recognized Alzheimer’s Day on September, 21, 2025, but for the Muhammad family, of Largo Height, Alzheimer’s is an everyday reality that is ...
    Librarian and Poet uses  spoken-word as a relief Valve
    News
    Librarian and Poet uses spoken-word as a relief Valve
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    Often times, people’s struggles, insecurities, physical issues and inner pain are masked by an exterior that looks strong, poised and well put togethe...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok