The Caricom-Cuba Summit, the highest-level meeting between the two groups, is happening in Antigua and Barbuda this weekend.
There is so much activity surrounding the summit, that our newsroom got calls from residents who saw large convoys on the roads escorted by police.
Foreign Affairs minister Charles “Max” Fernandez says event has been in the planning stage for over a year.
“President Castro is arriving today and of course that is going to be his last official visit outside of Cuba, to any official function. We are very fortunate and proud to be the country that is hosting this summit,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez was speaking at this morning’s post-Cabinet press conference. He says Cuba has been a major ally of Caribbean and Latin American countries.
“On Saturday morning, President Castro will also be addressing an OECS meeting at Parliament building after he meets with the Cabinet to have a small discussion,” he said, adding that the country has been grateful for Cuba’s assistance over the years.
Most Caribbean leaders will be present in Antigua and Barbuda over the next few days and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, OECS is also taking the opportunity to call a sitting of the OECS Assembly.