14 Jamaican Students Awarded Full Scholarships for Study in Cuba

Press Release From JIS, May 29, 2025:

Fourteen Jamaican students have been awarded full scholarships to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Cuba under the longstanding Cuba-Jamaica Bilateral Scholarship Programme.

The students, who will begin their studies in August, will be enrolled in programmes, including medicine, nursing, dental services, veterinary medicine, accounting, and ophthalmology.

All costs associated with tuition, accommodation, and living expenses will be fully covered.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, held at the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Kingston, on May 28, Cuba’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Fermín Quiñones Sánchez, praised the awardees as “talented and dedicated young Jamaicans with excellent academic qualifications and a vocation of service to their communities and their country”.

He said the scholarships reflect the strength of the relationship between the two countries, noting that “these scholarships, offered under the Cuba-Jamaica Bilateral Scholarship Programme for the 2025–2026 academic year, are a symbol of the humanist and solidarity-based character of the Cuban Revolution and of Cuba's cooperative relations with sister nations of the Caribbean, including Jamaica”.

Ambassador Quiñones Sánchez highlighted the impact of the initiative over the years. “The dreams of those receiving their scholarships today are the same dreams that guided approximately 700 Jamaican students graduating in Cuba through 2024… Today, more than 300 young Jamaicans are studying in different Cuban universities,” he added.

The Ambassador noted that the programme continues to contribute to human development across the region.

“Our duty of solidarity has transcended the training of professionals committed to the efforts of the nations to achieve development. Our humanistic work supports the need to train their young people,” he added.

For his part, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, commended the Government and people of Cuba for their commitment to education and regional partnership.

“The journey that you will embark on is not just a journey of self. It is a journey of community. It is a journey of solidarity. It is a journey of the friendship of two countries that have lasted more than five decades,” he told the recipients.

State Minister Terrelonge encouraged the students to return home and contribute to Jamaica’s growth. “You will have your own roles to play in these refurbished and renovated hospitals and health centres when you come back to Jamaica,” he said.

 “This journey is also about building a stronger Jamaica, a Jamaica with better healthcare facilities and doctors and nurses who understand patient care as well,” Mr. Terrelonge said.

One of the awardees who will pursue a degree in medicine, Ajani McFarlane, shared his excitement about the opportunity.

“I am very elated. I am very, very happy. I am also excited, a little bit nervous about going and leaving my family, but I am sure I will overcome that. The overarching feeling is that I am excited,” he said.

Mr. McFarlane noted that his programme will span six to seven years – one year of language and foundational studies, followed by six years of medical training.

 He encouraged others to take advantage of the scholarship.

“Put your best foot forward, go for it if you have the feeling, do research, and you know, the Cuba-Jamaica Bilingual Scholarship is there for everyone who wants such an opportunity. I say, go for it, do your best, and apply,” he emphasised.

The scholarships stand as a testament to the continued collaboration between Jamaica and Cuba, strengthening educational, cultural, and professional ties between the two nations.

State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, delivers remarks during the awards ceremony for the Cuba-Jamaica Bilateral Scholarship Programme, on Wednesday, May 28, at the Embassy of Cuba in Kingston.

 

State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (second right), greets Scholarship Recipient for Accounting, Capeech Watkins (second left); Scholarship Recipient for Veterinary Medicine, Saunshay Smiley (left); and Scholarship Recipient for Nursing, Cassandra Davy (third left). Looking on is Cuba’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Fermín Quiñones Sánchez (right). The interaction took place during the awards ceremony for the Cuba-Jamaica Bilateral Scholarship Programme, held on Wednesday, May 28, at the Embassy of Cuba in Kingston.

 

Senior Talent Management Officer,  Scholarship and Assistance, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Delrianna Thomas (left), greets Scholarship recipients: Accounting, Capeech Watkins (centre); Veterinary Medicine, Saunshay Smiley (second left) and Nursing, Cassandra Davy (right). The occasion was the awards ceremony for the Cuba-Jamaica Bilateral Scholarship Programme, at the Embassy of Cuba in Kingston on Wednesday, May 28.

 

 ______________________

Watch St. Thomas Festival Queen Show Live.

  __________________________

Click to answer the questionnaire on 

how PM is to be addressed.

__________________________

Click on the link below to answer the questionnaire.

Click to answer questionnaire.

Click here to enter the star search.

Click and WIN!!!

Subscribe Now!

• Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service.
• Make a financial donation now.

Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar so you can see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles.

Click on the icon below to see the calendar:

Click to view the calendar.

___________________

 

 

 

A New Day Is Coming For Cuba!

I am just amazed to read and hear the reactions of those who say they are upset that the Cuban medical personnel are leaving Jamaica. They put themselves in a self-righteous position because they were concerned for poor people.

The media is no better either. Many media people are not into objective reporting but use words which clearly show that they are carrying a line. One reporter claimed that gratitude cannot bring back the Cubans. I believe he was referring to statements made by Minister Tufton.

Where were they when our local doctors were complaining about the conditions of work and the need for more staff? The cop-out solution was just to get medical personnel from Cuba. We turned a blind eye to how the Cuban government engaged these people to come to Jamaica.

After 50 years we should have sponsored the training of medical personnel who should be bonded to serve in Jamaica for a specified time. We should also sponsor the training of medical specialists. We cannot have a situation where only the children of the rich can do medicine. A few of our people have been able to go to Cuba, Russia, and Ukraine, where the cost of training is less. 

Some of you have started to resurrect Michael Manley and democratic socialism, and your love for Cuba. The days of Michael Manley and democratic socialism are gone, never to return.

Anybody working in Jamaica, and especially if they are working with the state, must follow the labour laws of the land. Cuba cannot dictate to Jamaica how these workers are treated under the law. First, they are expected to pay the relevant taxes on the salaries paid directly to them. I understand that the government pays their salaries in US dollars to the Cuban government. I also understand that the Cuban medical personnel's passports are also taken from them while they are working here.

Can you imagine a private person engaging in that type of cooperation with the Jamaican government and getting away with it? That would definitely be seen as human trafficking. Many are bringing pressure on the Jamaican government for these Cuban doctors and nurses to stay. Why is pressure not put on the Cuban government to comply with our laws?

The Cuban leaders are playing tough, but they have some questions to answer. How many political prisoners have they detained in Cuba, and for how long? What percentage of the pay the doctors and nurses receive from the government goes to these workers? Why does the Cuban government confiscate the workers' passports while they are on the island?

Mark my words, the world is changing, and Cuba does not have a choice; it has to change also. Russia and China will not take up Cuba's burden. The little humanitarian gifts being given to Cuba at this time cannot deal with their national challenges.

Those writing letters and sending out press releases giving Cuba support should understand that the situation is like a massive avalanche coming at Cuba, and only Cuba can deal with the situation.

When Cuba changes, I see the people of that country becoming great partners to Jamaicans. There is a lot we can learn from them. A new day is coming for Cuba, but I cannot say if it will be a better day.

_____________________

Jazz In The Gardens

___________________

Bark Di Trute requests that you click on the advertiser's link on the page and also donate to the work of Bark Di Trute. It takes cash to care!

_____________________

 

Click here to see what's happening.

_________________

Subscribe Now!

• Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service.
• Make a financial donation now.

Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

_____________________

Both Sides of the Cuban coin

Contributed by Mark Wignall

One of my friends who lives in Miami and is an immigration specialist tells me that he sees the Cuban/American situation a bit differently from me. 

“Since I migrated to the USA, to Miami, I have made many friends with Cubans and spent a lot of time with them. Mark, horror stories exist. Castro and his regime have been quite evil to many of those Cubans. Taking their businesses, assets, and homes, oppressing them, and exiling them. Castro and his successors have killed, maimed, detained, jailed, exiled, and oppressed the population of Cuba. They have no respect for human rights or those who disagree with them.

“Mark, maybe you genuinely don't know this. Even before this recent situation, the present Cuban ruling class live in large, opulent homes in gated communities with all the electricity they need and all the food they need, while most Cubans live with little or no electricity, food rations, are hungry and live in poverty.  

“I do not like Trump’s aggressive regime change moves, but the Cuban regime is awful, and Fidel made his bed and that of his people when, in 1962, he wanted to let the Russians put missiles in Cuba, a mere ninety miles away from the US mainland, and doing Russia’s bidding for many years while Russia propped up Cuba. 

“The people of Cuba deserve a better, more humane, decent government. I am mindful that Cuba has been a good neighbour to Jamaica.  But Cuba is no paradise for Jamaica to emulate.”

A regular reader of my column shares a view of Cuba that is widespread in Jamaica. He is a retired police officer. 

“Cuba sent troops to Southern Africa during the 1970-1980s to help liberate Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa from the satanic apartheid regime. Cuba lost men to the enemy. But the racists, recognizing that it would be a losing battle, stepped back, retreated, and gave the Africans their freedom. 

“Today Cuba is under a different form of apartheid. To date, I have not heard one African country protest at the effort by the head thug in the White House to starve Cuba into submission. For what purpose? Submissions to the whims and fancies of the latest version of the Monroe Doctrine? African countries are apparently scared of Trump and his tariffs, and so they have also remained largely silent.

“The useless United Nations is also silent as the effort to starve Cuba into submission is being reinforced by the fuel blockade. The irony of all that's taking place is that it's being orchestrated by the Founder and Life Chairman of the so-called 'Board of Peace'.”

Journalist Ben Brodie writes, “The question is, what adjustments have been made to Jamaica’s long-standing arrangements with Cuba? What was the outcome of that high-level meeting between US officials and Holness, Audrey Marks and Rocky Meade?”

A part of the GOJ’s website states, ‘The situation highlights a delicate balancing act for the Holness administration, which seeks to maintain vital social services through Cuban cooperation while navigating foreign policy pressures from the United States.’ Diplomatic talk.

Broadly, it must be borne in mind that Trump uses cruelty and has made it guide his overall policy platforms. Add to that the fact that he derives extreme pleasure in seeing other people and nations in pain. 

Editor's note:

Mark Wignall is a broadcaster and a columnist.

________________________

___________________

Bark Di Trute requests that you click on the advertiser's link on the page and also donate to the work of Bark Di Trute. It takes cash to care!

_____________________

NEEDED

• A very qualified IT expert is seeking to go on a new project. He has over twenty years of experience in the field. He has an MSc in the field.
• Do you need a decent and honest person to work three days each week in your home?
• Do you need a live-in caregiver?
• Place needed to store bookshop stocks. Stocks are being sold at a reduced rate. 

Send a WhatsApp message to (876) 816-5261 if you are interested in any of these people. 

 These persons have been endorsed by Bark Di Trute.

 

Click here to see what's happening.

_________________

Subscribe Now!

• Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service.
• Make a financial donation now.

Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

_____________________

USA VS Cuba - Solutions Now!

The United States first imposed an economic embargo against Cuba in 1960. This was in response to Fidel Castro's communist revolution, which overthrew U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista. Properties were nationalized, and oil refineries belonging to U.S. citizens and corporations were seized without compensation.

During the Cold War between capitalist countries, Cuba aligned itself with Russia. This did not go down well, especially with Cuba in the US backyard. Supported by Russia, Cuba's ambition was to spread its communist philosophy

Jamaica was targeted especially during the Michael Manley regime, who declared his party, the People's National Party, to be a democratic socialist party. Jamaicans were sent to Cuba to be trained as brigadistas, while some said that the US CIA was active in Jamaica. The current leader of the PNP has given indications that he wants to go back to the philosophy of democratic socialism.

It is said that Grenada was targeted to be a communist state, and this resulted in the deaths of the prime minister and members of his cabinet when it was said that the radical left wanted to take over the party. The Governor General of Grenada, the little spice island, called for help from the USA, and with the support of Caribbean countries, restored order in the country. This period was referred to as the Grenadian Revolution, and it took place from March 13, 1979, to October 25, 1983

Over the years, the US government has used economic tools to change how the Cuban government operates. The government was accused of abusing human rights and suppressing political dissent. Recently, Cuba was accused of selling Cuban labour to make money for the party.

The fact that Cuba nationalized US assets and no compensation was offered remains a sore point.

The US embargo is raining tremendous hardship on the people. Hospitals are sometimes without electricity, which makes it impossible to carry out certain medical operations. There are food shortages and also shortages of oil to provide for energy needs. With the US controlling Venezuela and the cutting off of certain benefits to Cuba, the situation has reached a level of suffering never experienced before.

How do we solve this problem? Voting at the United Nation cannot and will not solve the problem. There are those who are trying to put Jamaica in the center of things. Jamaica has a massive trade deficit and a serious crime problem. How will we help the Cuban people by being part of the world that supports the US or part of the world that does not?

We should note that there is a large Cuban community in the US, which was the Cuban government to go. They have political clout.

The only solution is for the USA government to put their demands on the table and Cuba to put theirs. There will have to be give and take for a resolution. The United Nations vote is a complete waste of time, which only further divides the world and the people in various countries. Only quiet diplomacy can resolve this matter. The action that Castro took during the revolution and how it impacted the US has to be resolved. Talking about who is a friend of Cuba and who is a friend of the USA is a discussion that will lead to no resolution.

Let me warn Jamaica. Tread carefully as you get involved in this fight between the USA and Cuba. We could pay dearly for it. We cannot tell the US how to run their country or tell them which countries they should trade with.

Please add your comment.

Share this post.

______________________

______________________

Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is:  

https://chat.whatsapp.com/DTRV59oBLu1HATO0m4nbTO

_________________

_________________

It's best to view this blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com.

_________________

_________________

Subscribe Now!

1. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
2. Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service.
3. Make a financial donation now.

Without your support, Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

_____________________