The Hon. Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, will make an official visit to Cuba starting this September 25.

As reported on Tuesday by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the distinguished visitor will hold official talks with Cuban authorities and carry out other activities.

Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has been President of Zimbabwe since 2017. He served as Vice President of that country from 2014 to 2017.

The Republic of Cuba and that of Zimbabwe maintain fraternal and historic diplomatic relations, which on April 20, 2022 turned 42 years old, permanently marked by mutual support and respect.

A group of young Zimbabweans are currently studying medicine in Cuba, while Cuban collaborators from the health sector work in the sister nation.

(With information from Cubaminrex)

During the meeting, they emphasized the positive state of relations between the two countries and expressed their interest in further developing ties. They discussed issues on the international and regional agendas, as well.

Accompanying the distinguished visitor were his Excellency Faisal Muslat G. Almandeel, ambassador in Cuba, and M. Alangari, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office.

On the Cuban side, also present were Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, a Council of Ministers vice president, and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla.

( Granma)

1- THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATONS:

During the commemoration of the landing of the yacht Granma and the creation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, December 2, 1960, Fidel announced the decision to establish formal diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

2- ACADEMIC EXCHANGE:

In the 1960s, the first group of Vietnamese students arrived in Cuba. Since 1961, more than 3,000 have studied different fields here. Cuba offers scholarships every year to youth to pursue degrees here.

3- SOLIDARITY:

September 25, 1963, the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam was founded, headed by Moncada heroine Melba Hernández and supported by mass organizations across the island. Public events and symposiums were organized to denounce the horrors of napalm. Today the organization is known as the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association.

4-NATIONAL BALLET OF CUBA VISITS VIETNAM:

In 1964, members of the BNC, led by Alicia Alonso, visited Hanoi – the first cultural company to travel to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam – and was received by Ho Chi Minh. Years later, in 1978, the BNC danced before 17,000 spectators and the delegation was awarded the country’s Friendship Medal.

El Ballet Nacional de Cuba en Vietnam. Encuentro con Ho Chi Minh, a la entrada en el Palacio en Hanoi. Photo: Osvaldo Salas

El Ballet Nacional de Cuba en Vietnam. Encuentro con Ho Chi Minh, a la entrada en el Palacio en Hanoi. Photo: Osvaldo Salas
5-CUBA WILLING TO SHED ITS BLOOD FOR VIETNAM:

During a solidarity with South Vietnam event, June 3, 1969, Fidel stated “…when we say that we are willing to shed our blood, we are not saying anything extraordinary, because the people of Vietnam have not offered to shed their blood for us or other peoples, but rather have shed blood for us and other peoples!”

6-FIDEL’S FIRST VISIT TO VIETNAM:

The Comandante en Jefe became the first head of state to visit liberated areas in South Vietnam, crossing the 17th parallel, with the war still underway. (The moment is pictured above)

7- CONSTRUCTION BRIGADES:

After his visit to Vietnam, Fidel directed the creation of the Ho Chi Minh Contingent, including more than 1,000 men. Outstanding among their efforts was the Victoria Hotel, today a symbol of the deep ties of friendship and cooperation shared by the two peoples.

8- VIETNAMESE RICE:

Rice is an essential component of the Cuban diet, and is one of the principal products imported from Vietnam.

9-A DEEP FRIENDSHIP:

In 2005, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of South Vietnam’s liberation and the country’s unification, Army General Raúl Castro, then second secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and a vice president of the Councils of State and Minister, again travels to Vietnam.

10-SUPPORT IN HARD TIMES:

After the death of Cuba’s Comandante en Jefe in November of 2016, a high level delegation led by Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, member of the Communist Party’s Central Committee and president of the National Assembly, attended
the funeral events in Cuba. Many other authorities sent their condolences.

(Granma)

During his stay, the distinguished visitor will hold official talks with the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, and undertake other activities.

Phu Trong was born on April 14, 1944, in the Dong Hoi Commune, Dong Anh District, Hanoi. In 1963, he enrolled in the Faculty of Literature of the University of the Vietnamese capital, where he obtained the title of Bachelor of Literature.

On December 19, 1967, he joined the ranks of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Between December of 1967 and August of 1973, he served as editor of the Communist Magazine, the theoretical and political voice of the Party Central Committee. Subsequently, he attended a postgraduate course at the Nguyen Ai Quoc Political Economy School, today the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

In 1981, he was sent to the Soviet Union to study, and there he obtained the title of doctor from the Academy of Social Sciences of the USSR.

In the Party, he has undertaken various roles including: Deputy head and then head of the Party Central Committee Construction Department (1983-1989); Deputy editor (1990-1991) and Editor in Chief of the Communist Magazine (1991-1996).

Between 1996 and 1998 he served as Assistant Secretary of the Party Provincial Committee in the city of Hanoi. Afterwards, and through 2000, he was a member of the Party Central Committee Political Bureau, and in charge of the ideological-cultural and scientific-educational matters of this body. Between 1999 and 2001, he was a Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee Political Bureau.

Among other responsibilities he has held are: Secretary of the Party Provincial Committee in Hanoi (2000 – 2006); as well as the Vice President and then President of the Central Committee Theoretical Council, in charge of the theoretical works of the Party (1998- 2006).

He was a member of the Party Central Committee during the VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII Congresses; of the Central Committee Political Bureau during the VIII, IX, X, XI and XII Congresses; and Deputy to the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam during the XI, XII and XIII Legislatures.

He was also elected President of the National Assembly of Vietnam in the XI and XII Legislatures; and General Secretary of the Party Central Committee in the XI and XII Congresses.

In April 2012, he made an official visit to Cuba, and was presented with the highest decoration awarded by the Cuban Council of State, the José Martí Order, by the President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, during a ceremony at the Palace of the Revolution.

On that occasion, Phu Trong highlighted what Cuba means to his people. “Cuba is for the Vietnamese an example of revolutionary heroism, selfless internationalism, iron will and deep conviction in the justness of the cause of freedom and independence,” he said.

The party leader also held a meeting with the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro. “The meeting was very cordial and very interesting, without any protocol, like brothers living in the same house. Fidel held my hands for several minutes and said he felt happy. We Vietnamese have great respect for Fidel and his people,” Phu Trong stated at the time.

(Granma)

In an atmosphere of cordiality, the two leaders agreed on emphasizing the relations of friendship that exist between their countries and their intention to strengthen political ties and cooperation. They likewise expressed their mutual satisfaction with the opening of a Kenyan embassy in Havana and discussed issues on the international agenda.

Raúl thanked the government of Kenya for the help offered to support recovery efforts in the wake of damage caused by Hurricane Irma.

Accompanying the distinguished guest were Monica K. Juma, minister of Foreign Relations and International Trade; Rashid Achesa Mohamud, minister of Sports and Culture; as well as the Kenyan interim chargé de affaires in Havana, Anthony Mushiry; and Raphael Tuju, secretary general of the Jubileo Party.

On the Cuban side, also participating were Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, and Abel Prieto Jiménez – ministers of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Investment, and Culture, respectively – as well as ambassador Ernesto Gómez Díaz.

(Granma)

The two leaders held a friendly conversation discussing the excellent relations shared by their peoples and governments, and reaffirmed their intention to work on strengthening these ties. They also addressed a variety of issues on the current international agenda.

Accompanying the distinguished guest were Peya Mushelenga, minister of Yrban and Rural Development, and Namibia’s ambassador in Cuba, Jerobeam Shaanika.

Also participating on the Cuban side were First Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz; and First Deputy Foreign Minister Marcelino Medina González.

(Granma)

During the fraternal meeting, both sides agreed on the excellent state of bilateral relations and reiterated the will to promote further political ties and cooperation.

Díaz-Canel thanked Namibia for its support following Hurricane Irma, as well as in the fight against the U.S. blockade.

Both politicians also exchanged on topics of interest on the international agenda.

The distinguished African guest was accompanied by Peya Mushelenga, Minister of Urban and Rural Development; Jerobeam Shaanika, Namibian ambassador to Cuba; and Elizabeth Assamany, deputy director of Policy Research of the Office of the Prime Minister, as well as other members of the official delegation.

Participating on the Cuban side were Rogelio Sierra Díaz and Ileana Núñez Mordoche, deputy ministers of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Investment, respectively; Gisela García Rivera, director of Sub-Saharan Africa at the Cuban Foreign Ministry, and other ministry officials.

(Granma)

Minister of Former Combatants and Motherland Veterans, Cándido Pereira van Dunem accompanied Díaz-Canel during his first activity after arriving in Angola on September 25, to attend the inauguration of President Joao Lourenço.

The monument to Neto is situated in Independence Square, where the poet and doctor proclaimed Angola’s independence, on the evening of November 11, 1975.

Following the ceremony, Díaz-Canel made his way to Doctor Antonio Agostinho Neto Memorial Square, to attend the inauguration of José Eduardo dos Santos a Lourenço, an Angolan Armed Forces General, who won the country’s presidential elections on August 23 with over 61% of the vote.

It’s incredible to see how the country has developed, which goes to show that peace is necessary, stated Díaz-Canel on arrival to Luanda.

Before departing on September 28, Cuba’s First Vice President will pay tribute to Cuban internationalist combatant Raúl Díaz Argüelles (killed by a landmine in 1975) and heroes of the battle of Kifangondo, which took place November 10, that same year, one day before Angola proclaimed independence.

DÍAZ-CANEL: CUBA WILL ALWAYS BE AT ANGOLA’S SIDE

Speaking in the capital city of Luanda, Cuba’s First Vice President, Miguel Díaz-Canel stated September 26 that the island will always be at Angola’s side; united by close cultural, fraternal, solidary, political and historic ties.

“We have come here to reaffirm our willingness to continue collaborating on all the programs being undertaken by the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola,” stated Díaz-Canel on arrival at Doctor Antonio Agostinho Neto Memorial Square, where he attended the inauguration of President Joao Lourenço.

We will never forget that the men and women of this land, who were brought to Cuba as slaves, participated in our independence struggles, he stated.

“We participated alongside the Angolans in liberating Angola, in liberating the peoples of Africa and in abolishing apartheid, which is why we continue the struggle comrades,” noted the Cuban official in a brief exchange with the press.

(With information from PL)