St. Vincent and the Grenadines to donate US$1 million to Cuba

Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves has pledged US$ 1 million dollars to the Cuban Government on behalf of the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines as a show of solidarity, following the impact of Hurricane Rafael which affected Cuba. The category 2 hurricane made landfall on November 6, 2024 at Playa Majana, Artemisa Province.

Prime Minister Gonsalves made the announcement of the donation at a farewell cocktail on Saturday, November 23, to honour the Cuban linesmen who played a crucial role in helping to restore the electrical infrastructure on Union Island following the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl on July 1, 2024.

The Grenadine island was ravaged by the hurricane, and the collaborative

efforts of the Cuban brigade and St. Vincent Electricity Services

Limited (VINLEC) technical teams proved instrumental in restoring electricity to affected residents.

Prime Minister Gonsalves also highlighted the urgent need for continued collaboration between the two nations, noting that while electricity has been restored, many houses on Union Island were destroyed by Hurricane Beryl.

He said there is the possibility of having to seek additional Cuban assistance to address a shortage of skilled construction workers to aid in rebuilding efforts.

CEO of VINLEC, Dr Vaughn Lewis, expressed deep appreciation for the

solidarity and teamwork between the workers of both nations.

“The camaraderie and shared determination forged between our teams have demonstrated the true power of partnership in times of crisis,” he remarked.

Minister of Urban Development and Energy, Benarva Browne, echoed similar sentiments, noting that St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Cuba share a long- standing friendship which has impacted all sectors of development, including health, education, and infrastructural development.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to St Vincent and the Grenadines, Carlos Rodríguez

Etcheverry, shared his pride in Cuba’s ability to support its Caribbean neighbours in times of need.

“Cuba stands ready to provide continued assistance to St. Vincent

and the Grenadines as we navigate recovery and reconstruction together,” he said.

Head of the Cuban Brigade, Damian Jiménez, spoke on behalf of his team,

emphasizing the strong bonds of brotherhood and mutual respect developed during the recovery efforts.

“We leave not just as colleagues but as friends, united in our mission to restore energy and hope to the people of Union Island,” he said.(API)