Cuba’s Ambassador to Barbados, Yanet Stable Cárdenas, recently paid a courtesy call on Minister of Legal Affairs and Criminal Justice, Michael Lashley, to discuss Barbados and Cuba’s collaboration on crime prevention and rehabilitation, particularly among the youth.
Ambassador Cárdenas suggested that both countries become more familiar with each other’s criminal justice systems, so they could work together on finding ways to control and regulate the use of firearms.
She highlighted Cuba’s 2008 decree on the supervision and control of firearms, which was updated in 2025. However, she pointed out that apart from legislation, her country had social prevention programmes to educate young people about the use and control of firearms.
The Ambassador also expressed an interest in working with Barbados on social reintegration programmes for ex-offenders, so people, including those in the private sector, could understand their role in better reintegrating these individuals into society.
Minister Lashley agreed, noting that “buy-in” from the private sector was crucial for reintegration programmes to be successful. Additionally, he said his Ministry aims to impact crime through enforcement and crime prevention initiatives. He noted that the National Peace Program was established to reach out to at-risk individuals and provide rehabilitation and reformation.
Mr. Lashley also shared that his Ministry was focused on reforming the criminal justice system, including the courts, police officers, and marshals.
The Legal Affairs Minister added that Government was looking at implementing a “diversion programme” soon, which will seek to build character and a desire for persons to become committed citizens by teaching them principles on how to value life and property. He expressed the hope that this programme would “nip” early in the bud any issues impacting their learning abilities.
Mr. Lashley said he has made suggestions for the re-establishment of a drug court since a lot of persons coming into contact with the criminal justice system do so because of drug dependency.
Both officials expressed a willingness to continue discussions on crime prevention and rehabilitation and explore further collaboration and information sharing.
Barbados and Cuba established diplomatic ties on December 8, 1972.
(MR/BGIS)
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