Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has reminded Dominicans of Cuba’s continued support to the country over the years.
He was speaking during a homecoming ceremony held in his honor upon his return to Dominica after receiving the José Martí award in Cuba.
“Cuba has been faced with an embargo for several decades, denying them the opportunity to properly provide for their citizens, but here it is a country like Cuba there is so many economic and financial challenges, but have been reaching out to countries like Dominica in providing scholarships to our children and also providing support for our health system,” he said. “And so we will continue to extend and express our gratitude to the government and people of Cuba.”
Skerrit also highlighted Cuba’s assistance in sending doctors and nurses to Dominica when COVID-19 hit the island and pointed to the number of Cuban-trained doctors and other professionals at Dominica’s main hospital.
Prime Minister Skerrit joined a distinguished list of world leaders when he was awarded the José Martí Award by the Government of the Republic of Cuba on April 26th, according to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister.
José Martí was a renowned national hero of the Republic of Cuba. The Order was established in 1972 and a memorial built in 1978 with the support of former President Fidel Castro. It is the highest decoration given by the Government of Cuba to Cubans and foreign citizens; and Heads of States and Governments, who have distinguished records in the defense of human rights, special contribution to education, culture, governance and the well-being of all peoples.
The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Miguel Diaz- Canel Bermudez – President of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Bruno Rodriquez Parrilla – Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, the Minister of Public Health and Cuba’s Ambassador to Dominica, among others.
Dominica’s delegation for the three-day trip to that country comprised Minister for the Blue and Green Economy, Agriculture and National Food Security – Fidel Grant, Minister of State in the Ministry of the Blue and Green Economy, Agriculture and National Food Security – Gregory Riviere, Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Youth at Risk, Gender Affairs – Dr. Adis King, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Foreign Affairs, International Business and Diaspora Relations – Mrs. Barbara Dailey, and Dominica’s Ambassador to Cuba – Ambassador Mathew Walter.
Below is the full text of the speech delivered by PM Skerrit after receiving the José Martí award.
This man Skerrit hasn’t got an ounce of shame. Look how he is playing the big man.
Let me repeat this observation. Roosevelt is fully back to his old ways. Bad habits are really tough to get rid of.
With the easing of Covid-19, Roosevelt has stacked up, in very recent times, thousands of frequent-flyer miles. Unfortunately, he only returns with accolades for self, nothing for the benefiit of the country but empty promises.
Roosevelt travels to his favourite, overseas destinations so often, that he can be legitimately considered to be a tourist when he is spotted in Dominica. He’s only visiting for a few days and then off again.
Skerrit you a the biggest joker in the Caribbean your friends Cuba Russia Venezuela Afghanistan China and Morocco every one of them a being run by dictators walking through the Military salute give you the high to go to Dominica and disrespect the people , skerrit karma is a B , your steps and action shows that you a one of them, but you have a surprise waiting for you, and it won’t be pretty.
Think about this Dominicans. A leader, on returning to his country after receiving a ‘most’ prestigious award, should have reason(s) to be euphoric. Instead, no sooner had Roosevelt put foot on his home soil, he unleashed an uncommon hostility and hate on his fellow countrymen.
A good and astute leader embraces unity, respect, integrity, empathy, morality, inclusion, et cetera. Any leader, of any other Caribbean country, who would use such unflattering adjectives as LAZY and STUPID would have had to submit his resignation or chased out of office. Dominica is unique. It’s not a real country.
The continuation of uncritically disseminating Roosevelt’s engineered fairytales does a gross disservice to the citizenry of Dominica.
Here are some questions:
*What has Roosevelt done to enhance Human Rights at home and abroad to procure this award?
*Why spend such enormous financial resources on this large, travelling entourage?
*Are all these commitments Roosevelt just obtained from Cuba will be unfulfilled like the Pakistan university to replace RUSM?
The local media entities invariably raise the citizens hopes to high heavens after:- every budget presentation; after every overseas trip by Roosevelt, after every local ceremony by the ruling regime.
Invariably, and sadly so, the peoples’ hopes are dashed as reality takes hold when they realise that these promises were all spurious, only intended to gain selfish, political capital.
I remember when the DLP administration took over the helm of governance in Dominica I expressed my concern that this was “either a curse or a blessing in disguise”; the jury is still out there after more than twenty (20) years of deceptive representation. I was appalled by the recent outrageous utterances of the “verminous” Dr Dr PM; according to a press release by the DLP in regards to the award he received from Cuba ( it is bestowed on Heads of States who have distinguished records in defense of human rights, special contributions to education, culture, governance and well-being of all peoples) the first thing this recalcitrant did was to curse and denigrate his own people on his immediate return to Dominica. Their attempt to place him in the same category as Nelson Mandela was an insult not only to the people of South Africa but to the rest of civilized world; mr man, may I remind you and your “mouton batallie” cult supporters and followers; sir “you are no Nelson Mandela”.
Skerrit is lucky that his trip didn’t take him to the lion’s den in Miami so he could visit his friends Alex Saab and arrested BVI premier, Arthur Fahie. He is rather lucky that Puerto Rico is a US territory and the flight that couldn’t land in Dominica returned to PR instead of Florida, where there is jurisdiction. PM was very scared in Puerto Rico because he realized he was in unfriendly territory and maybe thought the US could send him a private plane to escort him to Miami. That was in the making but timing wasn’t right as the US wanted to get more information from Mr Fahie re the depth of their friendship. But PM I can tell you you don’t have much time left as you will soon get a free VIP ticket to Miami Florida
Cuba, China, Venezuela, … and perhaps soon North Corea ?
😂😂😂😂😂….Sorry guys! I couldn’t help but laugh at this insignificant nothing. But I’m glad that America is observing and laughing too. 😂😂😂😂😂 I wonder how many passport sales he made on this useless trip. Keep us informed Honorable Linton.
So he didn’t talk about Cuba’s human rights record then ?
Did you tell them that there are lazy bums in Roseau who are hungry Sir? This picture in front of of the guard of honor is fake and does not support integrity and decency.
You are dismissed Roosevelt.
Prime Minister Skerrit joined a distinguished list of world leaders when he was awarded the José Martí Award by the Government of the Republic of Cuba. Here just a few of those ‘distinguished world leaders’: Hugo Chavez, George Anglade, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, Leonid Brezhnev, Erich Honecker, Saddam Hussein, Alexei Kosygin, Alexander Lukashenko, Nicolas Maduro, Robert Mugabe, Daniel Ortega, Vladimir Putin, Willi Stoph, Xi Jinping.
Our Crime Minister indeed joined a very illustrious list of despots, dictators and communist leaders, all of which have amongst others, one thing in common: total disregard of human rights! Is there anybody out there in Dominica still in any doubt where Mister is going???
Indeed an illustrious list of despots and undesirables. Skerrit fits in well!
Your comment proves that you have done the research. The list of awardees is very telling. All, without exception, of these awardees, are known for their inhumanity to mankind.
The vast majority of citizens under the rule of all these men languish(ed) in poverty and others falsely imprisoned, brutalized, denied access to state resources, etc. Roosevelt is walking exactly in their footsteps as if he wants to outperform them.
When last did Skerritt highlight assistance given to Dominica over the years by America?. He just loves his renegade friends he pals around with like Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, Russia, China, and others from the Middle East too.
Is it because The only aid America give poor countries are weapons to wage war which result in human beings killing other human beings, while they sit back and enjoy the proceeds? 33 billion dollars promised to Ukraine in weapons of war while they decline to spend a single dollar on social programmes to help ordinary American citizens to enjoy a better quality of life.
Good observation! I often wonder why only rogue countries and obscure institutions this guy goes to collect his dubious awards.
Roosevelt has never even received as much as a compliment or a mention from any prestigious, international organization or reputable, democratic country.
I would not be surprised to learn that he bruised his knees to procure this award to massage his gargantuan ego. This man’s propensity for recognition knows no boundaries.