En el fraternal encuentro se reafirmaron los estrechos e históricos lazos de amistad que unen a los pueblos, partidos y gobiernos de Vietnam y Cuba, así como la voluntad de continuar profundizándolos.

Al distinguido visitante lo acompañaron Le Than Tung, embajador vietnamita en la Isla, y otros miembros de su delegación. Junto a Raúl estuvo el General de División Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, miembro del Buró Político del Partido Comunista y ministro del Interior.

In the fraternal exchange, both leaders referred to the historic relationship that both countries have maintained since 1960, the year in which diplomatic ties were established.

The Cambodian Premier recalled his visit to Cuba in 1999, when he received the José Martí Order from the hands of the Historical Leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz. Likewise, he highlighted medical collaboration as a pillar in the relationships developed over the years.

For his part, Raúl referred to Cambodia’s management as pro tempore president of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ratified the will to strengthen Cuba’s cooperation with that regional bloc.

On the Cuban side, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gerardo Peñalver Portal, also participated.

(With information from Granma)

Provocations orchestrated by counterrevolutionary elements, organized and financed by the United States to destabilize our country, were analyzed
Analyzed during the meeting were provocations orchestrated by counterrevolutionary elements, organized and financed by the United States with the intention of destabilizing our country.

Members of the Party’s highest leadership  body also discussed the exemplary response of the Cuban people to comrade Díaz-Canel’s call to defend the Revolution in the streets, making possible the defeat of these subversive actions.

(Taken from Granma)

As previously reported, Raúl led the country’s delegation to the regional meeting, during which he reiterated that fraternal integration is a necessary condition for development, and reaffirmed Cuba’s unconditional support for the Bolivarian Revolution and the Greater Homeland’s just causes.

(Granma)

This issue was raised again and again by participating leaders, who emphasized the legacy of Fidel and Chávez in this arena, and how much remains to be done in terms of regional unity.

“Fidel taught us to always look to history, to be bold and at the same time realistic, and that what appears impossible can be achieved with firm resolve and consistent action,” the Army General stated.

Raúl noted, “We are at a crucial stage of our history, in which a regional regression would have a very negative impact on our peoples.”

Given such a reality, he said member countries consider “fraternal integration an essential condition to advance toward development.”

“You are not alone,” Raúl reiterated to the Venezuelan people, reaffirming Cuba’s commitment to defending the sister country, while recognizing the dignified, valiant, and constructive position taken by President Nicolás Maduro Moros in the face of imperialist attacks and economic war.

No just cause is foreign to Cuba, he said, reaffirming the country’s solidarity with Caribbean nations and progressive governments of the region. Likewise, he reiterated the island’s solidarity with Dilma Rousseff, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, recognized leaders of Our America.

AN ALLIANCE OF PEACE

“We have come to this Summit, honoring Fidel and Chávez, to reaffirm that the path of our peoples is one of cooperation, complementarity, human, Christian, Latin American solidarity. This is our path,” stated the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, in his inaugural remarks.

ALBA emerged at the beginning of the 21st century, a historic move to defend the ideas of our peoples, the Venezuelan president noted, and in turn stressed that this Alliance has demonstrated that a better world is possible, putting human beings at the center of all efforts.

In this first stage, ALBA is the project that has best fulfilled the dreams, the hopes and the geopolitical vision of our liberators, Maduro said. He added that the region has seen the birth of different, useful, and relevant integration mechanisms; but that it is from the space of ALBA that an identity and a vision of raising cooperation to a higher level has been built.

“With Fidel and Chávez we will continue to navigate the 21st century,” the President told those attending the historic meeting. The challenge remains “to transform ALBA, in all its dimensions, into an alliance to help us, to build a new region, an alliance of peace, solidarity, and future”; and thus continue consolidating the commitments signed in Havana in January 2014, following the proclamation of Our America as a Zone of Peace.

After the opening of the Summit, participants held “a fruitful meeting” behind closed doors, for approximately four hours, updating the vision of their governments on the current situation, as reported by President Maduro on recommencing the public session.

Following speeches by the heads of delegations, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez read the Declaration of the ALBA-TCP 14th Summit, entitled “Let us defend the unity, dignity, and sovereignty of Our America.”

Nicolás Maduro highlighted three fundamental decisions contained within this document: to reactivate a financial fund for legal support and advice to the migrants of Our America in the United States; to strongly welcome the call made by Evo Morales to hold the “World Conference of the Peoples for a World without Walls toward Universal Citizenship”; and to appoint David Choquehuanca, former Foreign Minister of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, as ALBA Secretary General.

The Summit also expressed support of ALBA-TCP countries for the just and historical claim of the Plurinational State of Bolivia regarding its sovereign right to a corridor to the Pacific Ocean. At the same time, participants reaffirmed the call made on the governments and peoples of Chile and Bolivia, in February 2013, for a satisfactory solution to this issue through peaceful dialogue and negotiation.

The celebration of the 14th ALBA-TCP Summit, this March 5, coincided with the fourth anniversary of the death of Comandante Hugo Chávez. The fact that Venezuela was chosen to host the event also constituted a demonstration of support for the Bolivarian Revolution by the members of this Alliance.

CUBA IN VENEZUELA

Speaking to the Cuban press shortly before receiving the President of the Councils of State and Ministers on Sunday, March 5, at the Simón Bolívar International Airport, the executive Vice President of the Bolivarian government, Tareck El Aissami, noted that the presence of Raúl Castro in Venezuela was that of a brother, a father, and a good friend.

He also thanked Cuba for its support, not only at this time, but since the Bolivarian Revolution first took political power in Venezuela. “Cuba has always been a brotherly people and has helped us to advance on the steep path that is the revolutionary cause,” he said.

“Fidel is for us what Chávez is for Cuba. We were united by two giants and they have sentenced us to a single destiny: that of building the Greater Homeland. Cuba and Venezuela are two inseparable peoples now and forever,” the vice president insisted.

We are infinitely grateful to Cuba, “to Fidel’s Cuba, to revolutionary Cuba, to the dignified Cuba that has not knelt nor will it knee down before imperialist pretensions; that is why we follow her example. They are two revolutions and one destiny: victory,” he concluded.

(Granma)

Accompanied by Lázaro Expósito Canto, president of the Provincial Defense Council, Raúl arrived in the neighborhood of Abel Santamaría, where the Photovoltaic Park Solar Energy Research Center is located, a facility which features a little over 10,000 solar panels, almost 9,000 of which were disassembled, while steps have been taken to ensure that those remaining are protected from strong winds.

In this regard, Raúl noted that much can be learned from every phenomenon, as each one is different.

Next, the Army General moved on to Santiago de Cuba’s military regional command, where he spoke with brigades composed of forestry experts.
There, command chief Colonel Ricardo Riger Tejeda, explained that brigades were created in every province after Hurricane Sandy hit the region. These units work to support prevention efforts and once the weather event is over, help with sanitation and recuperation around the city, he noted, also highlighting that brigades have the necessary equipment to carry out their tasks with speed and efficiency.

Later, the President of the Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers visited a facility belonging to the Ministry of the Interior where he talked with members of the Search and Rescue Detail and Fire Brigade, which have been reinforced by other MININT personnel.

While speaking to staff, Raúl recalled the participation of said groups during Hurricane Sandy and highlighted the importance of their work in these types of emergency situations.

Shortly afterward, the President of the National Defense Council made his way to the Mariana Grajales Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital where he was warmly received by the population and Health sector directors; who updated the Cuban President on the work of staff at the facility, the state of equipment, as well as steps taken to continue providing the institution’s complete range of services and save lives, since initial actions were announced ahead of Hurricane Matthew.

The Cuban President highlighted the work of the Provincial Defense Council, led by compañero Lázaro Expósito Canto and the support offered by deputy minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Army Corps General, Ramón Espinosa Martín.

After the hurricane has passed we will immediately begin work to recover from the damage Matthew may cause, stated Raúl.

(Granma)

In a cordial atmosphere, the leaders discussed the fraternal relations between both countries and ratified the willingness of both their governments to strengthen the historic ties of cooperation and friendship which unite the two countries. They also addressed other issues of interest on the international agenda.

The distinguished visitor was accompanied by the honorable Soares Sambú, minister of Foreign Relations, International Cooperation and Communities; Abel Cohelo de Mendonça, Guinea Bissau’s ambassador to Cuba; and Gilda Lobo de Pina, chief cabinet secretary.

Participating on the Cuban wide were Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, minister of Foreign Trade and Investment; and Rogelio Sierra Díaz, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs.

(Granma)

In a cordial atmosphere, the leaders discussed the ties of friendship between the two counties and reiterated their willingness to expand bilateral relations. They also addressed issues regarding the international situation.

The distinguished visitor was accompanied by the honorable Tlohang Sekhamane, minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, and Mathabo Tsepa, ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho to Cuba.

Participating on the Cuban side were Marcelino Medina González and Rogelio Sierra Díaz, interim minister and deputy minister of Foreign Relations, respectively.

(Granma)

In a fraternal atmosphere, the two leaders discussed the excellent state of bilateral relations and historic ties which unite the two nations. During the meeting they also addressed issues of mutual interest on the international agenda.

The distinguished visitor was accompanied by the honorable Jerobeam Shaanika, Namibian ambassador to Cuba; Dr. Martha Namundejo–Tilahuns, a member of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) Central Committee; and John A. Nauta, senior assistant to the Founding President.

Participating on the Cuban side were Marcelino Medina González and Rogelio Sierra Díaz, interim and deputy ministers of Foreign Relations, respectively.

(Granma)

At the Rafael Núñez Airport, Cuba’s head of state was greeted by Deputy Foreign Minister Patricia Londoño, who said she was honored to welcome Raúl and expressed “infinite gratitude to Cuba for all its efforts, for having hosted the negotiations and talks over the last few years.”

The Cuban delegation also included Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; Eusebio Leal Spengler, Havana City Historian; and José Luis Ponce Caraballo, ambassador in Colombia; as well as a number of officials from the Ministry, many of whom played important roles fulfilling Cuba’s responsibility as a guarantor of the talks.

Scheduled midday, according to the Foreign Ministry, is a religious ceremony requested by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos at San Pedro Claver Cathedral, in the city’s central historic district.

Later during the afternoon the Peace Accords signing ceremony will take place on San Francisco esplanade, at the Cartegena Convention Center, with some 16 heads of state expected to attend, along with representatives from a number of regional and international organizations.

(Granma)