Hanoi, Aug 6 (Prensa Latina) In the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, just over 150 kilometers from this capital, the desire to contribute to strengthening the special brotherly relations between Vietnam and Cuba prevails today.

“Since we were children, we have always felt the affection Cubans have for the Vietnamese people, and we have also learned stories about the leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro, whom we always saw as a great man, an impressive man,” said Nguyen Thi Hanh, vice president of the provincial People’s Committee.

The head of the Union of Friendship Organizations in the country made these remarks upon receiving a working visit the day before from a delegation from the Cuban embassy, led by the acting chargé d’affaires, Joy Puentes.

At the meeting, Thi Hanh expressed her desire to establish cooperative relations in areas of greatest interest to both sides, and in this regard, she said she would like to welcome Cuban students to Ha Long University, which specializes in art, tourism, and foreign languages.

He also praised Cuba’s potential as a tourist destination and suggested collaborating in promoting the island’s tourism among the millions of national and international visitors who come to the province each year, particularly to explore the heritage site of Ha Long Bay.

Puentes, for his part, emphasized that Quang Ninh maintains a fruitful relationship with the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam and stressed that this work exchange is part of the Vietnam-Cuba Year of Friendship, which coincides with the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Over these 65 years, he said, “Cuba and Vietnam have offered mutual support whenever necessary, and the Cuban people deeply appreciate the countless displays of solidarity received” from the Indochinese nation.

The Cuban diplomat emphasized the significance of the visit to Havana last September by To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party (CPV) and then-President of Vietnam, which relaunched bilateral relations to a new level.

He also highlighted the priority areas on which cooperation between the two countries is focused, given their potential and importance, and suggested the possibility of establishing a twinning relationship between Quang Ninh and a Cuban province with similar characteristics.

He also proposed considering holding a Business Forum and a seminar on investment opportunities in Cuba, both initiatives welcomed by the host.

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Washington, Aug3 (Prensa Latina) Regardless of creed, but united by only one objective: the lifting of the blockade, the Jacksonville section of the US Committee “Hands Off Cuba” was born, first in the most populated city in Florida.

“The Jacksonville communty gathers to break the blockade and support Cuba and far from being a unique meeting, this event marked the beginning of a new chapter for solidarity with Cuba in the Deep South,” said Hakim Jihad, coordinator of the group.

During the inaugural meeting, held at the Yellow House Art Gallery in Jacksonville, a report was heard from the delegation that recently traveled to the May 1st festivities in Havana.

“The energy in the room was electrifying, marked by curiosity, enthusiasm and a deep desire to know the truth about Cuba beyond the lies of US imperialist propaganda,” he said.

Florida, often considered a hostile territory for solidarity with Cuba, witnessed something different, he noted.

“In a state dominated by some of the harshest anti-Cuban policies in the United States, this event showed that the situation is changing,” Jihad warned.

The report highlighted concrete acts of solidarity.

The delegation delivered $200,000 of medical aid directly to the Hospital Calixto García in Havana.

Earlier this year, the Committee helped coordinate a shipment of $517,000 containers, including 500,000 painkillers, in collaboration with Not Just Tourists, Pan-American Medical Group, the Los Angeles “Hands Off Cuba” Committee and Global Health Partners.

Attendees also learned about the growing national movement, including important support from the California AFL-CIO, representing 2.3 million workers, and the International Dockers’ Union.

The formation of a northeastern Florida section of the US “Hands Off Cuba” Committee is already underway, building an organized resistance base in one of the most strategically important states to fight the blockade, Jihad said “the room was united not only in admiration for Cuba’s resilience, but also in determination to fight until the blockade falls”.

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Havana, August 1 (Prensa Latina) The president of Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power, Esteban Lazo, shared experiences developed by the Cuban State in addressing climate change at the global parliamentary meeting.

“Having a comprehensive disaster risk reduction system and, above all, strong political will and commitment to our people have been key elements in the Cuban parliament’s efforts,” he stated. He also highlighted that the island has had a State Plan to Address Climate Change, known as the Life Task, in place since 2017.

According to reports from the Granma newspaper, Lazo also held a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart, Tran Thanh Man, in which they agreed to “increase exchanges of delegations and contacts at all levels, closely coordinate and implement measures to continue consolidating their ties, and carry out various activities in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.”

He also exchanged views with Saraa-Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and Carolina Cerquita, his counterparts from the Republics of Namibia and Angola, respectively; and spoke with Cubans residing in Switzerland and members of the solidarity movement with Cuba in that country.

mem/bbb