Sandra Marcella Gittens is Barbados’ new Ambassador to Cuba, having begun the accreditation process following a meeting with Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal.
Gittens presented her copy of Letters of Credentials to Vidal on Thursday, October 15, marking the first step in the two-part accreditation process.
A career diplomat, Gittens previously headed the CARICOM/Caribbean Affairs division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and served as Chargé d’Affaires at Barbados’ missions in Panama and Venezuela.
During the meeting, she said she was honoured to take up the assignment and expressed Barbados’ interest in expanding its longstanding partnership with Cuba.
She highlighted existing cooperation in education, health, sports, culture and the environment.
Vidal said Cuba was satisfied with its positive relations with Barbados and pledged continued collaboration to strengthen ties between the two countries.
She also thanked Barbados for its position on the United States economic embargo against Cuba and its material support, including shipments of powdered milk for Cuban children and other vulnerable groups.
Gittens is Barbados’ fourth resident ambassador to Cuba, succeeding Dr Sharon Marshall, who completed her tour of duty in February 2026. (PR)