Government representatives of Caribbean countries paid tribute today to Cuba's national hero, Jose Marti, as part of activities on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

For the Caribbean nations, the best way to overcome the current global economic crisis is unity, said Ambassador of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dexter Rose, after placing a wreath at the Cuban Apostle statue at the Revolution Square.

Rose, who is also dean of the Caribbean diplomatic corps accredited to Havana, recalled that Cuba has helped the people of the area in human resources training since it has provided opportunities to study university courses for decades without demanding anything in return.

Rose described as a courageous act called the relations established by Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados with Cuba on December 8, 1972, because in the context of the Cold War most Latin American countries have avoided it for political reasons.

We established relations based on the principle of being Caribbean and belonging to the same people, and although we are small countries, we have very large prospects, the ambassador told reporters.