The United States government has been the main organizer and sponsor of terrorism in the world, since the country’s emergence as a power with aspirations of universal hegemony.

Over the course of contemporary history, this nation has created, structured and provided support to all kinds of self-proclaimed paramilitary and terrorist groups around the world, while providing assistance to dictatorial governments that used terror as a tool of repression against their people.

The terrorist war unleashed against Cuba was conceived as state policy. The countless military, economic, biological, diplomatic, psychological, propagandistic and espionage attacks, the sabotage and attempts to physically eliminate leaders of the revolutionary process, are part of an official strategy developed and implemented by the White House to defeat the Revolution and end the construction of socialism on the island.

The overwhelming evidence that has been reviewed so many times: the hijacking of airplanes, which before 1959 had no precedent in the world, was a method devised and used precisely by the CIA in its program of terrorist actions that began with the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. The toll of 3,478 dead and 2,099 disabled Cubans, victims of this violent plan, are more than enough to make clear the serious consequences of these crimes.

Two months after the terrorist Alazo Baró shot “to kill” at the Cuban embassy in Washington, the complicit silence of the U.S. government indicates that the story is to be continued.

The motivations that inspired the mercenary and his puppeteers in Miami are products of the policy of tolerance, complicity and encouragement of hatred that for years allowed the likes of Orlando Bosch, Posada Carriles and other criminals, tutored by the U.S. government, to act with complete freedom.

Both the impunity with which these extremists act, and the absence of a reaction on the part of the Trump administration to the seriousness of an armed assault on a foreign diplomatic headquarters, silently answer the basic question: Who really sponsors terrorism?

Invariably, Cuba takes the high road, responding by offering lessons, amidst the COVID-19 crisis, and looking to the ethical protection of Martí’s ideas: “Those where hatred or intolerance are preached, fall down in time: but temples? Now more than ever, temples of love and humanity are needed, to unleash all that is generous in man, and subdue all that is crude and vile in him.”

(Source: Granma)

“There is one important news item… that after 20 days, the United States government continues to refuse to issue a statement. Every day that passes is a day that demonstrates its complicity. This silence is a complicit silence,” insisted Carlos Fernández de Cossío, the Cuban Foreign Ministry’s director for the United States, speaking with national media.

During the conversation, which took place at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters in Havana, the diplomat referred to the counterproductive inclusion of Cuba in the illegitimate U.S. list of nations “that do not collaborate with the U.S. government in the fight against terrorism,” noting that Washington “knows, as does the international community, that Cuba has a clear and consistent position against terrorism. Cuba has been a victim of terrorism.”

He described this decision as unilateral, deliberate and dishonest, which has no value whatsoever before any competent forum or body, and is only used as an instrument of pressure on third countries, to alter their positions toward Cuba.

With respect to the growing hostility of the Trump administration, Fernández de Cossío stated, “This administration has made a political commitment to take extreme action to put an end to the Cuban Revolution.” He noted the unconventional nature of this position, typical of an open war, and cited several of the obstacles to development of bilateral relations, in the diplomatic arena, as well as academic and cultural exchanges, and in direct ties between people on the two sides of the Florida Straits.

(Source: Granma)

Rodríguez identified the perpetuator as Alexander Alazo Baró, an individual of Cuban origin who has lived in the United States since 2010.

He recognized the prompt, professional action taken by local police and Secret Service forces at the time of the attack; while noting that the State Department took almost five days to contact Cuban authorities and issue any official communication about this serious incident.

“The State Department and the United States government have unfortunately chosen to keep this serious terrorist attack quiet… no public statement has been made condemning the attack or rejecting it as a terrorist act, “ he stated

The Minister presented images of the assailant and described the scene of the attack, “He approached the embassy, shouted offensive phrases and threw a desecrated Cuban flag against the fence, covered with several incoherent phrases, and then tried to set it on fire with gasoline. The firearm attack ensued,” which, he reported, included the firing of 32 bullets from a semi-automatic assault rifle, “with the intention of mowing down whatever he found in his path, even human beings if they had been in his line of fire.”

Rodríguez continued, “The U.S. government should be asked why it has remained silent about the event, attempting to keep it out of the public eye, and not issuing messages to deter such acts, in compliance with its legal obligation as the host country of diplomatic headquarters.”

He explained that this terrorist act is a direct result of the U.S. government’s aggressive policy toward Cuba, the hateful discourse used and constant incitement of violence by politicians and anti-Cuban extremist groups.

The Foreign Minister noted that Alazo Baró planned the attack well in advance, as he had visited the site for exploratory purposes two weeks before the attack.

According to legal documents to which the public has had access, “Alazo Baró visited a hospital, where he surely expressed his feelings and delusions of persecution by alleged Cuban criminal groups and the Cuban government itself, and subsequently visited the offices of several law enforcement agencies, that is, several United States national security agencies, to make accusations against our government and to denounce its alleged intention to kill him.

“It is the responsibility of the United States government to explain what follow-up was given to these accusations by Alazo Baró and what action was taken when an individual with these characteristics and background makes accusations … against a country with a diplomatic seat in U.S. territory,” Rodríguez continued.

He insisted, “I must say that negligence is evident in the conduct of the United States government, which did not act on information of this nature.”

The Minister noted that Alazo Baró was the licensed owner of a Glock pistol and had acquired an AK-47 prior to the attack, and two weeks earlier had made a trip to Washington to survey the site.

“The U.S. government failed in its obligation to prevent this attack, of which it had sufficient warning,” he stated.

According the Minister, legal arrest documents indicate that the attacker has a history of mental disorders and that a package of cocaine was found in his car. He further stated that Alazo Baró was in financial difficulty, had lost a business and was unemployed. He had a license to own a gun and a driver’s license.

“How could the U.S. government, despite this background, have allowed this person to act in such a premeditated fashion with the intention of carrying out such an aggression and killing?” Rodriguez asked, insisting, “It is incumbent upon the United States government, as well, to conduct a thorough, in-depth investigation to determine where the money he used came from.”

U.S. AUTHORITIES MUST INVESTIGATE ALAZO’S TIES

“According to legal documents, Alazo Baró acted out of hatred for Cuba and fear of aggression from alleged Cuban criminal groups, which everyone knows do not exist,” the Minister continued.

Nonetheless, Rodríguez reported that when Alazo lived in Cuba, he maintained “totally normal social behavior, with religious inclinations, and professionally devoted himself to pastoral work. He fulfilled his General Military Service in a normal way, without any difficulty or relevant incident, whatsoever.

“In 2003, Alazo Baró traveled to Mexico on a religious visa to settle there, having previously married a Mexican citizen of similar vocation. He lived in Mexico for several years and maintained a normal relationship with Cuba. He traveled to our country eight times, the last time in 2015,” availing himself of Cuban consular services.

The Minister continued stating, “It has been established that Mr. Alazo Baró never had, nor has, any problem in Cuba or with his country of origin.

“We must ask ourselves and the United States government how an individual with normal, religious, peaceful behavior can be transformed into someone with mental problems who, with scant economic resources, becomes the owner of an assault rifle, moves, travels from one state to another within the country and launches an armed attack on a diplomatic headquarters in the nation’s capital.”

The Minister insisted that the U.S. government has the obligation to investigate precisely what is Alazo’s relationship with groups and individuals, within the United States, with known records of hate crimes and incitement to violence – even terrorism against Cuba.

He also reported that Alazo was associated with a religious center in Miami called the Doral Jesus Worship Center, where persons gather who have known records of supporting aggression, hostility and violence against Cuba. Here he came in contact with Pastor Frank López, an individual who maintains close relations with individuals like Senator Marco Rubio and other figures known for their extremism against Cuba and promoters of aggression against our country, including Congressman Díaz-Balart.

He added that, incidentally, the Vice President of the United States recently visited this church, and previously, on February 1, 2019, delivered a speech expressing open hostility toward Cuba, showing contempt for Latin America and threatening the region.

The Minister noted,” Among those with whom Alazo Baró was closely associated at this church is a citizen of Cuban origin named Leandro Pérez, who on his own Facebook profile… declares himself to be a close friend of the shooter, who he says he knows and likes.

“Leandro Pérez is known for his public incitement, on social media, of assassinations in Cuba and has specifically singled out Army General Raúl Castro Ruz and President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez as targets in his calls for violent action.”

Leandro Perez has also used social media and his contacts to promote support for the terrorist Ramon Saul Sanchez, whose systematic violation of U.S. law led to an order for his deportation, which has never been enforced.

For his part, Alazo has a Facebook page under the name of Hamilton Alexander, where he shares messages from an individual promoting songs with marginal style and content, openly inciting acts of violence against diplomatic officials, precisely in the United States.

Rodríguez noted that this Facebook page contains links to those responsible for vandalism of busts and sculptures of José Martí that took place some months ago in Havana, offending the entire nation.

“I call on the government of the United States to explain what it knows about these relations, what it knows about the contacts and mutual admiration shared by Alazo and individuals who belong to groups that support the current government of the United States, and constantly incite violence and hatred against Cuba,” he insisted.

The Minister emphasized that it is the obligation of the United States government to clarify what influence the aggressive sentiment and action against Cuba, promoted at the Doral Jesus Worship Center in Miami, had on Alazo’s conduct, and what role the individuals mentioned may have played in his decision to open fire on the Cuban embassy.

Rodriguez denounced the complicit silence of the U.S. government as suspicious, given that it is well known that the nation’s law enforcement agencies regularly monitor groups that commit, and boast of committing, violent acts against Cuba.

“We have the right to ask Secretary of State Mike Pompeo what he knows about these issues, especially since he seems to be constantly making statements about Cuba, yet has not said a word about the attack that occurred,” the Minister noted.

He described as deplorable the attitude shown by Pompeo, who while remaining silent about the terrorist attack, speaks out against Cuba and attacks Cuban international medical cooperation, amidst the COVID -19 pandemic.

The Minister said that it is very difficult to separate Alazo’s actions from the discourse of U.S. government officials, constantly attacking Cuba and our international medical cooperation and diplomatic activity, which encourages and incites violence against our personnel and others.

He described the U.S. government as one “that implements a genocidal policy, defends its as legitimate to punish an entire people which has decided to be free; that imposes an economic, commercial and financial blockade that qualifies, according to the Convention against the Crime of Genocide, as an act of genocide; a government that considers it acceptable to attack Cuban families.”

He insisted that the relationship between these policies and this attack be clarified.

“I directly affirm that this attack against the Cuban embassy, which is of a terrorist nature, is a direct result of an official policy of instigating hatred and violence against my country,” he said.

The Minister insisted that anyone who has heard the constant statements and falsehoods disseminated by the State Department, and the Secretary of State himself, can see that resentment and hatred toward Cuba is promoted.

“Anyone who understands that he is acting in line with the aggressive, hostile policy that the United States government constantly proclaims and practices could be encouraged to commit violent acts. Anyone who believes that he or she agrees with messages of hate and violence against Cuba, promoted daily on the radio, television and social media by official figures and violent groups within U.S. territory, could assume that he or she has support to commit acts such as the one on April 30,” he said.

Rodríguez insisted that if there was hatred behind Alazo’s actions, this hatred was bred by the aggressive discourse of the United States government, of politicians and groups that make a living from hostility toward Cuba, and a result of the promotion of violence carried out by different groups, particularly in Miami.

“The government of Cuba awaits for results of a thorough, exhaustive investigation of this terrorist attack. We will see if the United States government finds any plausible explanation for Alazo’s ties with the extremist, violent groups I have mentioned, and how it explains the inescapable connection between those ties and the attack on our diplomatic mission.” he said.

Rodríguez displayed images of persons who, just hours after the attack, approached and photographed the Cuban embassy, individuals who are known for their aggressive behavior and harassment at that diplomatic headquarters, among them Marcheco Suárez and Mario Félix Leonard Barrós, both of whom are regular participants in hostile actions against Cuban diplomats. He requested that the U.S. government investigate this situation immediately.

He stated, “Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has the responsibility to provide answers to the people of the United States, the people of Cuba and international public opinion, about these serious facts and the unavoidable evidence I have presented.”

He referred to the long, bloody history of terrorism against Cuba’s diplomatic missions and officials in the U.S.

“The foreign service of the Republic of Cuba has 11 martyrs, violently murdered by terrorist groups, one of them in 1980 on a downtown avenue in Queens, New York City. The assassination of former Chilean Foreign Minister Orlando Letelier on a downtown avenue in Washington is also part of that story,” he added.

He reiterated that the U.S. government has chosen to silence, not denounce, condemn, or reject the terrorist act committed against a diplomatic headquarters in Washington.

“The gunning of the Cuban embassy with an assault rifle, with the intention of killing, is a direct result of the aggressive policy of the U.S. government toward Cuba, and the tolerance, the instigation of violence by politicians and anti-Cuban extremist groups who have made a living with such attacks,” he said.

He noted that it is no secret that a layer of individuals with extreme anti-Cuba records have achieved disproportionate influence in the White House and some of them unfortunately participate in implementation of U.S. policy toward Cuba.

“These are the facts surrounding the attack and the root causes that led to it; the failure of the U.S. government to condemn and denounce such acts; and its criminal negligence in failing to address the many previously known facts that could have prevented this terrorist attack,” Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla concluded.

In response to a question from Granma about other reactions within the United States, he stated that several Senators and Representatives have expressed solidarity and condemned the attack as an act of terrorism, along with a number of U.S. citizens, diplomats, other ambassadors in Washington, and Cubans living in different countries.

The DPA news agency asked what diplomatic steps Cuba would take now.

The Minister replied, “We expect the United States government to comply with its obligations under international treaties. We will appeal to courts of international law. We will continue our denunciations, until a visible, appropriate response is forthcoming.”

He reiterated that Cuba will continue to fully guarantee the security of the U.S. embassy in Havana, its diplomats and those of all other nations.

“We hope the U.S. government will at least attempt to align its anti-terrorism rhetoric and policy of fighting international terrorism with its responsibilities in the face of a terrorist attack that has taken place against a diplomatic mission in the center of Washington,” he said.

ABC’s Channel 10 in Miami asked the minister about the similarity and differences between the incident in Washington and alleged sonic attacks against diplomats in Havana.

The Minister reaffirmed categorically that it is the obligation of every state to protect the integrity, dignity and normal functioning of a diplomatic mission, personnel and their families, such as Cuba has always meticulously done.

“There are fundamental differences,” he replied, “The first difference is that there was no attack on U.S. diplomatic personnel in Havana; there was no deliberate act.”

He called on the U.S. government to present some minimal credible information or evidence. Since the results of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigation, in this regard, agrees with the Cuban investigation, which strongly demonstrates that there was neither an attack, nor any deliberate act.

The Foreign Minister explained that, secondly, as soon the first statements on the matter were made, high-level Cuban authorities approached the U.S. government, offered full cooperation, provided information, and expressed the readiness to receive U.S. investigators and meet all their needs, including the taking of samples and their export.

“Thirdly” the Minister stated, with regard to the so-called health incidents of diplomats in Cuba, “There is no author, no hypothesis, no evidence, or a weapon. Here, we have an attacker, an AK-47 rifle, 32 shell casings, 32 bullet holes and a statement – by the perpetrator – of his intention to attack and kill.

He added that, another significant difference is that Cuba is currently waiting for results of the U.S. investigation, hoping it will be thorough, and that results will be publically available. We also hope that the U.S. government will fulfill its obligation to take sufficient measures to prevent events like this from occurring again in the future against Cuban diplomats or diplomatic headquarters in the United States, and those of any other country.

“The Cuban government has not made any threats, has not implemented any blockades, has not issued any warnings to travelers, has not expelled U.S. personnel from Havana, has not dismantled its embassy and consulate in Washington. All of these steps were taken against Cuba by the United States, without a hypothesis, without credible information and without a single piece of evidence, under the pretext of these so-called health incidents,” the Minister concluded.

(Information from press conference transcript at Presdencia.cu)

In a press conference May 12, the Cuban Foreign Minister explained that the individual responsible for the events, Alexander Alazo Baró, is of Cuban origin and has been living in the United States since 2010. He recognized the prompt, professional action of local and the Secret Service at the time of the attack, but noted that the State Department delayed almost five days before contacting Cuban authorities, and denounced the complicit silence of the U.S. government.

He stressed the need for the United States government to explain its motives for remaining silent about the incident and keeping it out of the public eye.

The Foreign Minister indicated that the assailant had a license to carry a weapon, owned a Glock pistol and obtained an AK-47 in the period before the attack. The legal arrest documents, he said, note that Alazo Baró claimed to suffer from a mental disorder, for which he had received hospital care and was prescribed medication, adding that the U.S. government’s own document indicates that a package of white powder was found in the suspect’s car, which was identified as cocaine.

The Minister questioned how the United States government, evidently well aware of these facts, could have allowed this person to act in such a premeditated fashion with the intention of attacking and killing.

Legal documents show that Alazo Baró acted out of hatred for Cuba and fear of aggressions by alleged Cuban criminal groups, which everyone knows do not exist, the Foreign Minister noted.

He stated that Alazo Baró was associated with a religious center in Miami called the Doral Jesus Worship Center, where persons gather who have known records of supporting aggression, hostility and violence against Cuba. Here he came in contact with Pastor Frank López, an individual who maintains close relations with individuals like Senator Marco Rubio and other figures known for their extremism against Cuba and promoters of aggression against our country, including Congressman Díaz-Balart.

The Cuban government awaits the results of a thorough, exhaustive investigation of this terrorist attack. We will see if the United States government finds any plausible explanation for Alazo Baró’s ties with extremist, violent groups and the obvious relationship between those ties and the attack on our diplomatic mission, the Minister stated.

He indicated that Cuba will continue to fully guarantee the security of the United States embassy in Havana, its diplomats and all others.

(Source: Granma)

The Cuban government has no information about the individual involved, who was detained by local authorities at the scene and is in custody, the Ministry indicated.

The Cuban diplomatic mission in Washington D.C. has a protection and security system in place, to respond to any threat against personnel or facilities.

The Cuban government is awaiting news from U.S. authorities on the investigation, including the identity of the suspect and his motivations for the aggression, as well as other circumstances surrounding the event. The State Department is aware of the event.

It is the obligation of states to take all appropriate measures to protect the premises of diplomatic missions accredited in their country against any intrusion or damage and to avoid disturbing the peace of a mission or violating its dignity, the Ministry press release concludes.

According to several press agencies, the incident began around 2:00 am, outside the embassy in northwest Washington. The metropolitan police moved to the site after neighbors reported hearing gunshots, authorities stated.

Images of the site posted on social media show a group of police outside the building after the shots were fired and investigators searching a vehicle parked there. Agents from the Metropolitan Police and the U.S. Secret Service were investigating.

(Source: Cubadebate)

Her Excellency Mrs. Roberta Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of State;
Officials of the US Government accompanying her;

Honorable members of Congress;

Esteemed Representatives of the US Organizations, Movements and Institutions who have made huge efforts in favor of the change of the US Cuba policy and the improvement of bilateral relations;

Esteemed Representatives of the Organizations and Movements of the patriotic emigration;

Distinguished Ambassadors;

Comrades of the Cuban Delegation;

José Ramón Cabañas, Chargé D’ Affairs;

Officials and workers of the Cuban Embassy;

Esteemed friends;

The flag that we revere at the entrance of this room is the same that was hauled down here 54 years ago, which was zealously kept in Florida by a family of liberators and later on by the Museum of our eastern city of Las Tunas, as a sort of premonition that this day would certainly come.

Flying once again in this place is the lone-star flag which embodies the generous blood that was shed, the sacrifices made and the struggle waged for more than one hundred years by our people for their national independence and full self-determination, facing the most serious challenges and risks.

Today we pay homage to all those who died in its defense and renew the commitment of the present generations, fully confident on the newer ones, to serve it with honor.

We evoke the memory of José Martí, who was fully devoted to the struggle for the freedom of Cuba and managed to get a profound knowledge about the United States: In his “North American Scenes” he made a vivid description of the great nation to the North and extolled its virtues. He also bequeathed to us a warning against its excessive craving for domination which was confirmed by a long history of disagreements.

We’ve been able to make it through this date thanks to the firm and wise leadership of Fidel Castro Ruz, the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, whose ideas we will always revere with utmost loyalty. We now recall his presence in this city, in April of 1959, with the purpose of promoting fair bilateral relations, as well as the sincere tribute he paid to Lincoln and Washington. The purposes that brought him to this country on such an early time are the same that have pursued throughout these decades and coincide exactly with the ones that we pursue today. Many in this room, whether politicians, journalists, outstanding personalities in the fields of arts or sciences, students or American social activists, have been able to treasure unlimited hours of enriching talks with the Commander, which allowed them to have a better understanding of our reasons, goals and decisions.

This ceremony has been possible thanks to the free and unshakable will, unity, sacrifice, selflessness, heroic resistance and work of our people and also the strength of the Cuban Nation and its culture.

Several generations of the revolutionary diplomacy have converged in this effort and offered their martyrs. The example and vibrant speech of Raúl Roa, the Chancellor of Dignity, have continued to inspire Cuba’s foreign policy and will remain forever in the memory of the younger generations and future diplomats.

I bring greetings from President Raúl Castro, as an expression of the good will and sound determination to move forward, through a dialogue based on mutual respect and sovereign equality, to a civilized coexistence, even despite the differences that exist between both governments, which makes it possible to solve bilateral problems and promote cooperation and the development of mutually beneficial relations, just as both peoples desire and deserve.

We know that this would contribute to peace, development, equity and stability in the continent; the implementation of the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter and in the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, which was signed at the Second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States held in Havana.

Today, the re-establishment of diplomatic relations and the re-opening of embassies complete the first stage of the bilateral dialogue and pave the way to the complex and certainly long process towards the normalization of bilateral relations.

The challenge is huge because there have never been normal relations between the United States of America and Cuba, in spite of the one and a half century of intensive and enriching links that have existed between both peoples.

The Platt Amendment, imposed in 1902 under a military occupation, thwarted the liberation efforts that had counted on the participation or the sympathy of quite a few American citizens and led to the usurpation of a piece of Cuban territory in Guantánamo. Its nefarious consequences left an indelible mark in our common history.

In 1959, the United States refused to accept the existence of a fully independent small and neighboring island and much less, a few years later, a socialist Revolution that was forced to defend itself and has embodied, ever since then, our people’s will.

I have referred to History to reaffirm that today an opportunity has opened up to begin working in order to establish new bilateral relations, quite different from whatever existed in the past. The Cuban government is fully committed to that.

Only the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade which has caused so much harm and suffering to our people; the return of the occupied territory in Guantánamo and the respect for Cuba’s sovereignty will lend some meaning to the historic event that we are witnessing today.

Every step forward will receive the recognition and the favorable acceptance of our people and government, and most certainly the encouragement and approval of Latin America and the Caribbean and the entire world.

We reaffirm Cuba’s willingness to move towards the normalization of relations with the United States in a constructive spirit, but without any prejudice whatsoever to our independence or any interference in the affairs that fall under the exclusive sovereignty of Cubans.

To insist in the attainment of obsolete and unjust goals, only hoping for a mere change in the methods to achieve them will not legitimize them or favor the national interest of the United States or its citizens. However, should that be the case, we would be ready to face the challenge.

We will engage in this process, as was written by President Raúl Castro in his letter of July 1st to President Obama, “encouraged by the reciprocal intention of developing respectful and cooperative relations between our peoples and governments.”

From this Embassy, we will continue to work tirelessly to promote cultural, economic, scientific, academic and sports relations as well as friendly ties between our peoples.

We would like to convey the Cuban government’s respect and recognition to the President of the United States for urging the US Congress to lift the blockade as well as for the change of policy that he has announced, but in particular for the disposition he has showed to make use of his executive powers for that purpose.

We are particularly reminded of President Carter’s decision to open the respective Interests Sections back in September of 1977.

I am pleased to express my gratitude to the Government of the Swiss Confederation for having represented the Cuban interests for the last 24 years.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Cuba, I would like to express our gratitude to the members of Congress, scholars, religious leaders, activists, solidarity groups, business people and so many US citizens who worked so hard for so many years so that this day would come.

To the majority of Cubans residing in the United States who have advocated and called for a different kind of relation of this country with our Nation, we would like to express our recognition. Deeply moved, they have told us that they would multiply their efforts and will remain faithful to the legacy of the patriotic emigration that supported the ideals of independence.

We would like to express our gratitude to our Latin American and Caribbean brothers and sisters who have resolutely supported our country and called for a new chapter in the relations between the United States and Cuba, as was done, with extraordinary perseverance, by a lot of friends from all over the world.

I reiterate our recognition to the governments represented here by the Diplomatic Corps, whose voice and vote at the UN General Assembly and other fora made a decisive contribution.

From this country José Martí organized the Cuban Revolutionary Party to conquer freedom, all the justice and the full dignity of human beings. His ideas, which were heroically vindicated in his centennial year, continue to be the main inspiration that moves us along the path that our people have sovereignly chosen.

Thank you, very much.

(Prensa Latina)

In a press release, the US diplomatic representation points out that the event was in tune with the announcement made on July 1 by President Barak Obama.

The US Interests Section became “the Embassy of the United States in Havana and will continue its diplomatic functions from its venue on Malecon, under the leadership of Ad Interim Business Attaché Jeffrey DeLaurentis”.

The press release confirms that US Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Cuban this summer to reopen the embassy in Havana and hoist the US flag, and that more details about the ceremony will be provided in the next few weeks.

For his part, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla will preside over the official ceremony to reopen the Cuban Embassy in Washington on Monday, and will meet with his US counterpart at the headquarters of the Department of State.

The head of Cuban diplomacy is heading a delegation made up of a score of personalities, including lawmakers, officials, artists, athletes and religious leaders.

(Prensa Latina)