00:00And CARICOM leaders are preparing to send another shipment of Solidarity aid to Cuba in collaboration with Mexico.
00:06Her correspondent, Cristal Hoyer, will give us more details.
00:16Caribbean community governments are preparing to dispatch humanitarian aid to Cuba
00:21following a decision announced at the 50th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government
00:26held in St. Kitts and Nevis last month. In a press release this week, CARICOM announced
00:32the humanitarian shipment will include powdered milk, including baby formula, non-perishables
00:38such as beans, wheat, flour, rice and canned goods, basic medical supplies, solar panels,
00:45batteries and water tanks. Items will be purchased on behalf of member states and shipped to Cuba
00:52through a collaborative arrangement with the government of Mexico. Mexico has identified
00:57suppliers able to deliver the items to the port of departure and will provide free shipment from
01:03Mexico to Cuba, significantly reducing the cost burden on Caribbean governments.
01:08The 50th Heads of Government meeting also established a three-member committee to coordinate
01:14the region's engagement with Cuba. CARICOM leaders emphasize that the humanitarian aid
01:20addresses critical needs on the ground in Cuba and comes as several Caribbean countries
01:26navigate complex geopolitical calculations, balancing historic ties with Cuba against their
01:32relationship with the United States. Regional leaders say the aid package demonstrates Caribbean
01:38solidarity and the community's commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, regardless of
01:44external political pressures. The CARICOM secretariat is finalizing procurement arrangements
01:49and expects the first shipment to depart for Cuba in the coming weeks.
01:54Crystal Hoyt, Talasur, Bridgetown, Barbados.
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