Vincentian medical students in Cuba are said to be in good spirits despite ongoing challenges facing the communist island, including widespread power outages and fuel shortages.
The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines said it continues to closely monitor the situation, maintaining regular contact with students through its embassy in Havana.
Ambassador-designate Angella Jackson recently met with 42 students on March 14 and 18, with officials noting that they remain focused on their studies despite difficult living conditions.
Cuba has been grappling with a deepening energy crisis in recent months, driven in part by reduced fuel supplies and persistent infrastructure challenges.
The situation has been compounded by increased pressure from the United States under President Donald Trump, whose administration has taken steps to limit oil flows to the island and warned of tariffs against countries that provide assistance.
For years, Venezuela served as a major supplier of subsidised oil to Cuba.
However, that support has sharply declined following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January during a United States military operation, further straining Cuba’s already fragile energy sector.
The island also continues to face longstanding economic constraints under the US embargo, which restricts trade and access to critical resources.
Despite tensions, there have been recent indications of possible diplomatic engagement, with both the United States and Cuba signalling interest in improving relations, although Washington has maintained that any progress would require significant changes on the island.
Regional leaders have also expressed concern.
At the recent CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in St Kitts and Nevis, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Cuba as it navigates the ongoing crisis.
However the prime ministers of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica stressed the there must be democracy in Cuba.
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