NASSAU, The Bahamas – A new Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba has been accredited to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes accepted Letters of Credence from His Excellency Enersto Soberón Guzmán, accrediting him Ambassador to The Bahamas, during a ceremony at Government House on Thursday, December 8, 2011. He succeeded Ambassador Jose Ponce Caraballo.
“You should find that the service rendered by your distinguished predecessor will stand you in good stead as you carry out your stated mission to strengthen and diversify our bilateral ties,” Sir Arthur said.
The Bahamas and Cuba have enjoyed a long history of cordial relations as close neighbours, grounded in a shared Caribbean identity and culture, in sub-regional and regional solidarity and in the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.
“The Bahamas is aware of the challenges – political, social and economic – which still confront your country. Nevertheless, The Bahamas commends the resilience of the Cuban nation and its practice of giving which has enriched the lives of many in our region and beyond,” Sir Arthur said.
He noted that through technical cooperation between both countries, many Bahamians have benefitted from educational experiences, and cost-effective health and medical services.
Ambassador Guzmán, 36, said he was pleased to be appointed ambassador to The Bahamas, which established diplomatic relations with Cuba 37-years-ago.
“After almost four decades of fruitful relations, we can affirm that our bilateral ties are in a very good moment, based on the mutual support and the defence of sacred principles, like the respect to the self-determination of the countries, territorial integrity and the cooperation of solidarity between our countries,” he said.
Ambassador Guzmán also thanked The Bahamas Government for its support in favour of the resolution that Cuba annually presents to the General Assembly of the United Nations, “condemning the unjust and criminal blockade imposed by the Government of the United States to the people of Cuba.”
In spite of the blockade, he said Cuba will continue offering its support and cooperation to Caribbean countries.
Enersto Soberón Guzmán, an industrial engineer, is First Secretary, Office of the Deputy Minister for Asia and Africa in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He is also trained as a Diplomatic Attaché and studied different postgraduate courses on International Relations. He has been a member of Cuban official delegations to international events and to countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
By LINDSAY THOMPSON
BAHAMAS INFORMATION SERVICES
