All kinds of history was made yesterday when Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel made the first visit by a Cuban President to Belize. His trip lasted less than 8 hours - but it was potent in symbolism. The National Assembly held its first meeting in Belize City ever for the historic visit and 7news was there every step of the way. Jules Vasquez has a recap:
The Cuban delegation of 68 persons arrived from Mexico on two jets, the press on the first and the official delegation led by president Miguel Diaz Canel and his wife Lis Cuesta Peraza on the second.
The Foreign Affairs CEO Amalia Mai was the first to greet him, followed by the Head Of state, Governor General Froyla Tzalam
With the flags of both nations flying high, President Diaz Canel inspected a guard of honor.
From there he got a warm greeting from the Minister of Foreign Affairs Eamon Courtenay.
His next embrace was from the Prime Minister who was waiting at the entrance of the Government House. After some talks upstairs, they came back outside to enter the joint sitting of the National Assembly in the square at the government house.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Our entire nation is honored to have you here with us in Belize. Your visit is yet another symbol of the deep bonds on friendship that exist between our two nations and people."
"Senor Presidente the Cuban people hold a special place in the hearts and minds of Belizeans and of people all over the world, because of their unparallel generosity of spirit."
Miguel Díaz-Canel, President, Cuba
"Long live the brotherly relations between Belize and Cuba."
His words said long live the brotherly relations between Belize and Cuba - a sentiment that the official crowd embraced and this tight photo of almost every elected PUP Representative on the stairs the the government house was an adequate portrait of those fraternal relations.
And while that was the ceremonial business, the official business came inside when an MOU on immigration was signed along with an agreement on culture
The President left at 5:00 pm.
And while he is the first Cuban President to visit, three Belizean Prime Ministers, Said Musa, Dean Barrow, and John Briceño, have traveled to Cuba.
Currently, 120 Cuban medical professional and two sports coaches are working in Belize.
