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
      • Privacy Policy
      • 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
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Cuba – a Real Hero
The World Around Us
March 24, 2020

Cuba – a Real Hero

GOOD NEWS is scarce right now as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to wreak havoc and fear across the globe.

However, amid the global response to COVID-19, Cuba has emerged as a city on a hill and a leading light among nations.

Cuba is no stranger to punching above its weight. By now, stronger and larger countries would have already crumbled in the face of 60 years of an economic blockade from the United States (US). However, Cuba has done the opposite and has repeatedly defied the odds whether that be in supporting liberation efforts in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean many years ago; providing humanitarian assistance across the world; or in standing tall as the quintessential good neighbour. Just over a week ago, news reports emerged that the Trump administration attempted to persuade a German firm developing a possible vaccine for coronavirus to move its research work to the United States. According to the New York Times, this is said to have raised fears in Berlin that President Trump was trying to assure that any inoculation would be available first, and perhaps exclusively, in the United States. Senior US officials have since called these reports “overblown”. Nonetheless, the reports are consistent with Trump’s mantra of “America first”.

Over the years, the world has grown accustomed to American and European Union (EU) leadership on just about every important global issue. However, in the face of the COVID-19 threat, the US seems to have retreated even further from the rest of the world.

Meanwhile, the EU is consumed with its own fight against the virus, particularly as some of its members such as Italy and Spain have become overwhelmed.

As others falter, Cuba has surfaced as a global leader in the fight against COVID-19. At the time of writing, Cuba had already dispatched 140 healthcare professionals to Jamaica; the government of St.Vincent and the Grenadines had requested 15 healthcare workers from Cuba; a 52-strong brigade of healthcare professionals had been sent to Italy; and other contingents of medical professionals had been sent to Grenada, Nicaragua, Suriname and Venezuela. Cuba also went to the rescue of a British-owned cruise ship with roughly 50 persons on board who were displaying symptoms of COVID-19. This was after several other countries denied the ship entry to their ports.

For decades, notwithstanding the US economic embargo (or because of it), Cuba has managed to develop a healthcare sector that is the envy of even many developed and advanced economies. This is also the case with its biotechnology industry which has developed medicines to fight a wide range of diseases. One such medicine is the anti-viral drug called Interferon Alfa-2B, which was developed in Cuba and as of 2003, is being produced in China by the Cuban-Chinese joint venture ChangHeber. Interferon was reportedly used to treat hundreds of COVID-19 patients in China and there is a possibility that it could turn out to be a trojan horse in the fight against this virus.

Through its selfless actions in assisting others in their fight against COVID-19, Cuba will undoubtedly win a significant amount of global goodwill. However, when the pandemic ends and life returns to some semblance of normalcy, some countries may be inclined to move beyond goodwill alone. For the wider Caribbean in particular, governments and the private sector should start thinking about how they can encourage more investments in Cuba, as well as more joint ventures with Cuba. Given Cuba’s expertise in biotechnology for example, the private sector elsewhere in the Caribbean should explore the possibility of making investments in this sector.

These kinds of strategic investments will give more impetus to an already solid relationship with Cuba.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    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