PM Monitoring Belizean Students in Cuba as Economic Crisis Deepens

Prime Minister John Briceño says the Government of Belize is closely monitoring the situation in Cuba, particularly the wellbeing of Belizean students currently pursuing studies on the island, as the country continues to face severe economic hardships.  Prime Minister explained that authorities remain in constant communication with students and officials abroad. However, he acknowledged that if living conditions continue to deteriorate, government may have to make the difficult decision to bring the students back home.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “My heart cries out for the people of Cuba and I condemn what is being done to the people of Cuba. And I think there’s no justification for what is being done to them. I could see you could have differences between governments, but when you take actions to be able to hurt people, I think that’s something that we should all be very very concerned. Any human being in the world. I hope that something that can be worked out that for instance the’ve been shut out of getting oil into the country and at that rate probably sooner or later we may have to consider whether the students are to come home or not. We have to ensure that they are safe and that their schools are operating and that they have access to food an other necessities that they need. The embassy is always in contact with them and every year I know some families try to raise funds to send a container load of goods for them. I always help of course and many other citizens but our embassy is in constant communication with the kids and our students, the young men and women and many times they could go there for the weekend or if there is an activity they go to the embassy. We feel it is our responsibility to ensure that they’re safe and that they can get the necessary food that they need and other things to be able to live comfortably in Cuba.”

Briceño noted that Belize understands the realities facing Cuba, adding that the country has historically shown solidarity with Belize through medical and educational cooperation, making the current situation especially concerning.  At the regional level, the Prime Minister also revealed that CARICOM leaders are preparing to meet to determine how member states can collectively assist Cuba through humanitarian support.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “We are going to have a heads meeting around the 25th….24th/25th, somewhere around the of February and that’s on the agenda and I think that anything that we can do, any relief that we can give to the people of Cuba, I think we should do. We should do. We have a moral responsibility to be able to help.”

Meanwhile, questions have also arisen about the future of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Belize, given the restrictions and economic pressures affecting the island. Briceño says the program remains vital to Belize’s healthcare system, but nothing is really certain in that regard at this juncture.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “I am not sure, but as we pointed out to the US government, we paid the doctors directly so that was not an issue. You know that we also still need doctors but I don’t know if that program will still be running with the Cuban Government. But as long as we can get the help, I mean, our people need doctors and service and access to doctors and we have to do what we have to do to be able to look after our citizens.” 

Cuba is currently facing its worst economic collapse since the early 1990s that is referred to as the “Special Period”.  Its main problems include massive shortages of food, medicine scarcity, frequent nationwide blackouts, fuel shortages affecting transport.  Many supermarkets are empty or only sell goods in foreign currency, which most citizens don’t have access to, and electricity outages have become routine, sometimes lasting 8–20 hours per day in certain provinces.