The Permanent Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), Ambassador Lesly David, was received on Thursday in Havana by the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, with whom he discussed the joint work agenda for the development and integration of Latin America and the Caribbean.

At the meeting, held at the Palace of the Revolution, President Díaz-Canel congratulated Ambassador David on his election as Permanent Secretary of the organisation, the first person of Caribbean origin to hold this position. He also expressed his delight that “a person educated in Cuba has taken on this responsibility.”

In addition, the Head of State reaffirmed Cuba’s political will and support to work together with SELA in favour of integration, the defence of the region’s interests and complementarity among the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

“I reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to this important mechanism to advance towards the necessary integration among the countries of our region,” said the Cuban President, through his X account, about the meeting.

For his part, the Permanent Secretary of SELA pointed out that Cuba can count on SELA, recognising the island for its active performance in the organisation. “SELA has always counted on Cuba and will continue to do so,” added Ambassador David.

During his first official visit to Cuba, the Permanent Secretary of SELA also met with Cuban government officials, including the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), Josefina Vidal; the Minister of Finance and Prices of Cuba, Vladimir Regueiro Ale; the Minister President of the Central Bank (BCC), Juana Lilia Delgado Portal; the Minister of Foreign Trade, Oscar Pérez Oliva; the Minister of Economy and Planning (MEP), Joaquín Vásquez; and the Deputy Director General of the Centre for World Economy Research (CIEM), Jourdy James Heredia.

Cuba has been a Member State of SELA since 1976, holds the position of Rapporteur of the Latin American Council of the organisation, and has always been committed to active participation in policies for the integration and development of the region.