The Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Cuba to Seychelles, H.E. Mrs Iraida de la Caridad Guerrero Zúñiga, has presented her credentials to President Dr Patrick Herminie.The ceremony took place on Tuesday, 16 December 2025.
Speaking to the media afterwards, Mrs Guerrero Zúñiga said she held brief discussions with the president on strengthening bilateral relations. She said the talks focused on export opportunities, cooperation in the health sector and cultural exchanges.
She said Cuba values the continuation of its relationship with Seychelles and that efforts are under way to improve the results of that cooperation.
Mrs Guerrero Zúñiga also thanked the government and people of Seychelles for their support in relation to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.
“I would like to say to all Seychellois thank you for that.”
The blockade has created significant challenges for financial transactions and bilateral cooperation, particularly in the health sector. International financial dealings between Seychelles and Cuba have been made difficult, affecting payment mechanisms for goods and services, including the remuneration of Cuban doctors working in Seychelles.
Cuba’s inclusion on the United States list of State Sponsors of Terrorism from 2021 to early 2025, and the possibility of future policy changes, has further complicated financial transactions involving Cuban institutions.
Cuba has a long history of medical cooperation with Seychelles, including the deployment of doctors and the provision of scholarships for Seychellois students to study medicine. The financial constraints linked to the embargo have placed pressure on this long-standing cooperation, making it more difficult to maintain and renew existing agreements.