The Cubans include doctors at clinics in Dominica and engineers in Grenada, where they are helping design a national stadium. Cuba sent tons of fertilizer and vegetable seeds to farms in St. Kitts and Nevis that were damaged by hurricanes. More than 240 Caribbean students are on full scholarships at Cuban universities. The region's leaders are openly questioning the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba, echoing criticism from European leaders and also Pope John Paul II during his January trip to Cuba. The Grenadian prime minister, whose country was invaded by U.S. troops in 1983 to oust a repressive regime friendly to Cuba, paid a landmark visit to Havana last year.
Deep differences remain over Cuba's human rights record, however.
A conference of Caribbean journalists voted in May to oppose Cuba joining the Caribbean Community unless Havana loosens control of news media. Cuba's response was typically chilly. The Associated Press.