Justin Trudeau Delivers Lecture at University of Havana

During the lecture, Trudeau said that in a respectful manner, Canada will continue to disagree with the US policies towards Cuba as he referred to the hurdles imposed by the blockade of the island

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada will keep shaking the hands of its Cuban friends and partners, during a key-note lecture Tuesday at Havana’s University in the presence of Cuban President Raul Castro.

Trudeau, who paid an official visit to Cuba this week, said that the election of US republican candidate Donald Trump will not change the strong relations between Ottawa and Havana, or the great opportunities for joint work in economic and social areas.

Some of the areas to deepen exchange include tourism, according to Trudeau who also referred to the growing number of Canadians who visit the island as he considered that the 1.3 million citizens from his country travelled here in 2015. That figure stood for nearly 40 percent of all tourist arrivals in Cuba last year.

Trudeau said that in a respectful manner, Canada will continue to disagree with the US policies towards Cuba as he referred to the hurdles imposed by the US economic, commercial and financial blockade of the island.

For many Canadian businessmen who have interests in the U.S. the blockade limits their investment in Cuba, though there are many Canadian companies willing to have links with the island.

The Canadian Premier also referred to the importance his government grants to its relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, and Ottawa’s commitment to contribute to the
environment preservation, the lowering of poverty and the reconciliation with indigenous communities in Canada.