Cuba for expanding collaboration with Laos

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Anthony Brenner
The two sides expressed their commitment to fostering and enhancing economic, commercial, and political ties, as well as further expanding their collaboration in areas with potential

Havana, Feb 21 (RHC) The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, conveyed the island’s willingness to advance bilateral collaboration, at a meeting in Vientiane with the Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone.

At the meeting, Rodríguez discussed the potential for expanding collaboration between both countries in areas such as agriculture, biotechnology, the biopharmaceutical industry, healthcare, education, and sports.

During his second and final day of his official visit to Laos, he also met with his counterpart, Thongsavanah Phomvihane.

Both reached a consensus on the potential for advancing bilateral cooperation through mutual trust and the successful collaboration already established in various fields.

Upon his arrival in Vientiane, the Cuban Foreign Minister was greeted by President Thongloun Sisoulith, whom he reiterated the importance that Cuba attaches to strengthening relations with the South Asian nation.

In turn, President Sisoulith stated that Laos and Cuba are strategic allies and close friends, with a rich history of successful cooperation, thanks to their constant coordination, communication, and mutual assistance in regional and global affairs.

The two sides expressed their commitment to fostering and enhancing economic, commercial, and political ties, as well as further expanding their collaboration in areas with potential, including human resource development, education, sports, public health, and agriculture.

Also on Thursday, the chief of Cuban diplomacy paid a visit to the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum, which honors the founder of the Popular Revolutionary Party of Laos, and presented a floral tribute.

The official visit to Laos was part of a broader tour that included stops in Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

As part of this tour, the diplomat will also attend the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which will begin on February 24 in Geneva. (Source: Prensa Latina)

Posted in Exchanges | Leave a comment

Chinese exhibition in Havana celebrates 65th anniversary of relations

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Anthony Brenner
According to Chinese ambassador Hua Xin, the exhibition not only bring eastern elements to the Havana Biennial, but also brings new life into cultural exchanges and the strengthening of the bonds between Cuba and China

Havana, Feb 21 (RHC) The exhibition Cultural bridges: East-West dialogue has been inaugurated at the José Martí National Library of Cuba, marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China.

As part of the 15th Havana Biennial, the exhibition features 31 pieces by Chinese visual artists Ma Liang, Zhang Lanpo, Shen Zhonghai, and Guo Liweim, selected and curated by experts Miguel Sazatornil and Sun Yong Kang.

The Chinese ambassador in Havana, Hua Xin, expressed gratitude to the National Library, the National Council of Plastic Arts, and the Havana Biennial for their assistance in organizing this exhibition.

He emphasized that these works not only bring eastern elements to the Biennial, but also brings new life into cultural exchanges and the strengthening of the bonds between Cuba and China.

They also serve to showcase a portion of China’s cultural legacy, its distinctive features, and its contemporary art.

In this regard, the representative of the Shanghai Foreign Cultural Exchange Association, Zhu Liangbiao, emphasized that the works of these four Chinese artists showcase the diversity and intercultural exchange, and serve as a bridge of friendship between China and the world.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960, these ties have been consolidated in all domains, and events such as this exhibition have provided an opportunity for both nations to admire each other’s artistic and creative abilities.  (Source: Prensa Latina)

Posted in Exchanges | Leave a comment

Venezuela stands out in book presentations in Cuba

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

Havana, Feb 20 (Prensa Latina) With the presentation of another book from Venezuela, the South American country stands out among many of this year’s guests at the Havana International Book Fair.

“El Libro Azul”, with a prologue by President Nicolas Maduro, is a book of mandates and prophecies, the primordial root of the Bolivarian Project that is being developed in Venezuela, according to the site La Casa del Libro.

Every Venezuelan patriot must know this book, the future project for the XXI century, Nicolás Maduro reflected in the prologue; a fundamental text to understand the Chavista movement from Chávez’ own project.

I share with you Chavez’s “El Libro Azul”, the President expressed in the prologue where he embodied the ideals of the MBR-200 with which we young people fell in love. How nice to make those dreams come true. Let us continue with perseverance, loyalty, anti-imperialist courage, without letting ourselves be blackmailed or threatened, the President commented.

As we go through the pages of “The Blue Book”, as we reread them with the attention they deserve, we immediately notice the presence of Hugo Chávez’ thought, an entirely free and committed thinker; a thinker in open war against all forms of dogmatism.

“The Blue Book” demonstrates a powerful conviction of the Comandante throughout his life: to think before acting, to generate liberating thought to illuminate the paths of fruitful praxis, the Venezuelan president wrote.

jrr/arm/mem/dpm

Posted in Cultural | Leave a comment

Cuban President awards distinguished scientists

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

Havana, Feb 20 (Prensa Latina) Twenty-eight Cuban scientists and researchers were awarded the Carlos J. Finlay Order today in a ceremony led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel at the Palace of the Revolution.

The award winners, who are from the medical sciences, biotechnology and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment system, also received their awards from Prime Minister Manuel Marrero and the Secretary General of the Cuban Workers’ Union, Ulises Guilarte.

On behalf of the honorees, Dr. Santiago Dueñas, a doctor in Biological Sciences, highlighted Cuba’s outstanding scientific tradition and the sector’s great contributions to the health of the people and the well-being of the nation, according to a report on national television.

“The recognition we are receiving today is the result of collective work, the dedication of researchers and professionals from different areas of knowledge, who work tirelessly and consistently with a scientific and innovative approach. Hence, it is a tribute to science and to the Cuban people as a whole,” Dueñas stressed.

The Carlos J. Finlay Order is awarded to Cuban and foreign citizens in recognition of their extraordinary merits and valuable contributions to the development of natural and social sciences.

rc/mks

Posted in Healthcare | Leave a comment

From New York an affirmation: Cuba is solidarity, it is love

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

New York, Feb 20 (Prensa Latina) Cuba is known throughout the world for its solidarity, love, and desire to collaborate, even with the people of the United States. That is why its inclusion on a list of alleged countries sponsoring terrorism is inconceivable.

That is the feeling of Claudia De la Cruz, executive director of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization IFCO-Pastors for Peace, when expressing in an interview with Prensa Latina her rejection of President Donald Trump’s decision to revoke measures in favor of Cuba taken days before his predecessor Joe Biden left office.

He said that “it is very important to be able to expand and strengthen the ties of solidarity with Cuba, with the American and Caribbean region, with the world, and at IFCO we understand that there is a lot of work to be done.”

But above all, “we want to maintain the legacy of the Reverend Lucius Walker, the legacy of many who joined IFCO and Pastors for Peace (…) They set the tone and the path in this fight against the blockade,” the activist stressed.

At this time, it is essential to combat the disinformation against Cuba coming from the Trump administration and conservative sectors of the Democratic Party, he said.

And to this end, it is essential to work under the new conditions of hostility towards the island on the part of the United States Government, added the former presidential candidate in 2024 for the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

For us, just as the Pastors for Peace caravans did in the 90s or early 2000s, which did a job of denouncing, confronting and demanding an end to the inhuman blockade, in the same way we have the need to continue demanding that Cuba be removed from that list, he added.

Part of the legacy of Reverend Lucius – which was continued by his daughter Gail Walker, who was executive director of IFCO – is support for Cuba and that is what we will continue to do from the United States, he said.

De la Cruz argued that, in the task of combating false narratives, we have to emphasize that Cuba has in no way been involved in terrorist actions; however, the United States has been a coordinator and promoter of terrorism against that country, a terrorism that has come from Miami many times.

Asked about the Trump administration’s ongoing deportations, IFCO’s CEO condemned the sending of undocumented migrants to the detention center located at the U.S. naval base on illegally occupied territory in Guantanamo.

“We are seeing that the conditions are being created to keep 30,000 people deported from the United States inside that naval base as if they were terrorists,” said the activist, insisting that the rights of those migrants sent there are being violated.

For us, within the project of solidarity with Cuba, it is also essential that the Guantanamo naval base be closed, that the territory that is theirs be returned to the Cuban people, and that the blockade that has been imposed against the Cuban people in an immoral manner for more than 60 years be ended.

“Cuba has promoted love, hope and has materially supported the world, so these are parts of the demands and the work that IFCO-Pastors for Peace will continue to develop from the United States,” he concluded.

In 1967, Lucius Walker founded IFCO and in 1988 conceived the Pastors for Peace project that organized humanitarian aid caravans as a way to support victims of U.S. foreign policy in the region.

Walker led 21 Friendship Caravans from 1992 until his death in September 2010, to bring humanitarian aid and medicine to Cuba in yellow school buses, without seeking permission or a license from the authorities.

mem/dfm

Posted in The Blockade? | Leave a comment

Cuban Foreign Minister reiterates high priority to ties with Laos

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

Vientiane, Feb 20 (Prensa Latina) Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla reiterated here today the high priority his country gives to developing ties with Laos, with which it shares historic bonds of solidarity and collaboration.

Rodríguez Parrilla spoke on the matter when he was received on a courtesy visit by the Secretary General of the Popular Revolutionary Party (PPRL) and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, whom he defined as a friend of Cuba.

During the meeting, which took place shortly after the arrival in this capital of the Cuban foreign minister and the delegation accompanying him, the Laotian president stressed that this visit has great significance, since its objective is to further strengthen and deepen the fraternal friendship and long-standing cooperation between both countries.

Laos and Cuba are strategic partners and fraternal nations with a long history of excellent collaboration. Bilateral political relations are at an excellent level and continue to strengthen, with constant coordination, communication and mutual support at the regional and international levels, Sisoulith said.

At the meeting, KPL news agency reported, both sides said they were committed to promoting and enhancing economic and trade cooperation along with their strong political ties, and continuing to expand it in potential fields such as human resource development, education, sports, public health and agriculture, among others.

Upon his arrival in the capital, the member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and his entourage visited the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum, which honors the memory of the founder of the PPRL, and placed a floral offering there.

This tribute is a demonstration of the solidarity and historical brotherhood between the Parties, Governments and peoples of Laos and Cuba, wrote Rodríguez Parrilla on his account on the social network X.

Following his visit here, the Cuban Foreign Minister will meet this Friday with the Laotian Prime Minister, Sonexay Siphandone, and will hold official talks with the new Foreign Minister, Thongsavanah Phomvihane.

Rodríguez Parrilla arrived in Vientiane from Vietnam, where he also made an official visit, with the results of which he expressed his satisfaction and where “the warm hospitality and the unwavering commitment to support Cuba exceeded all expectations.”

The official visit to Laos by the Cuban foreign minister is part of a tour that previously took him to Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, and at the end of which he will attend the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, which will begin on February 24 in Geneva.

rc/mpm

Posted in Exchanges | Leave a comment

Cuban Ambassador receives Azerbaijani delegation to Habano Festival

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

Baku, Feb 18 (Prensa Latina) Cuban Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Carlos Valdes, on Tuesday received this country’s delegation that will participate in the 25th Habano Festival in Cuba, Prensa Latina news agency informed.

The diplomat stressed that the visitors agreed, in a pleasant dialogue, that this is the most awaited event every year by lovers of Premium cigars globally, which will have a wide program of activities around the knowledge of the best tobacco in the world and its exciting culture.

Valdes told the guests that those who attend the 25th Habano Festival will enjoy, in an international and exclusive environment, a program of activities to learn about this product.

The five-day festival will offer visits to renowned Habanos factories and plantations, exclusive pairings, and three particular evenings to get a sneak preview of the latest Habanos SA features.

The Habanos World Challenge Contest, the Trade Fair, and the International Seminar with attractive conferences will also be held during the festival.

ef/iff/lam/gfa

Posted in Exchanges | Leave a comment

Cuba reaffirms commitment to multilateralism at the UN

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

United Nations, Feb 18 (Prensa Latina) Cuba reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism and global governance on Tuesday, and reiterated its attachment to working with the international community to guarantee peaceful coexistence and preserve peace.

In his speech at the opening debate of the United Nations Security Council on the topic “Putting Multilateralism into Practice, Reforming and Improving Global Governance,” Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío referred to the current international situation.

A situation characterized by serious and growing threats to international peace and security and a progressive erosion of multilateralism, he said.

In this regard, he mentioned the withdrawal of the world’s biggest power from international organizations, with absolute disregard for multilateralism; and its support and participation, without ethical or moral qualms, in the expansion of genocide against the Palestinian people.

The Cuban diplomat also referred to plans for land usurpation, ethnic cleansing and annexation; the rise of racist and supremacist ideology; the violation of environmental agreements to favor transnational corporations, without taking into account the risks to the sustainability of life on our planet.

In such a scenario, Fernández de Cossío reaffirmed the importance of the role of the United Nations and described as essential the full respect for the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and the norms of international law in the face of the unprecedented challenges being faced by the international community.

For this reason, he urged to undertake profound transformations at the UN, which will allow progress towards a democratic, fair, equitable world order that respects the sovereign equality of the States, for the benefit of present and future generations.

The deputy foreign minister also condemned Cuba’s inclusion on Washington’s arbitrary and unilateral list of alleged sponsors of terrorism, “an instrument of coercion and an act of aggression, which provokes the repudiation of the international community,” he emphasized.

Fernández de Cossío rejected the enforcement of unilateral coercive economic measures as a way to achieve foreign policy objectives, and warned that “as long as punitive approaches against developing countries do not cease, there can be no talk of real and inclusive multilateralism for all.”

At the proposal of China, which chairs the Security Council this month, a meeting dedicated exclusively to multilateralism, led by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, was held.

Nearly eight decades later, the UN remains the world’s leading multilateral organization, harmonizing and coordinating international action in areas ranging from peacekeeping to economic development and trade.

jg/rc/dfm

Posted in Exchanges, The Blockade? | Leave a comment

Cuban doctors’ work in Mexican health centers highlighted

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

Mexico, Feb 18 (Prensa Latina) The arrivals of Cuban medical experts in Mexico have helped to fill the gap in health services for people who lack social security, especially in places with unfilled medical positions, La Jornada noted on Monday.

According to the digital edition of the newspaper, the existence of unfilled positions is a phenomenon present in the country and more so in areas such as the southern state of Chiapas, where remote rural and indigenous communities in poverty predominate.

“In these places, the operation of a health center or a basic community hospital changes the lives of people who have never had anything,” the publication added.

La Jornada visited four municipalities in the state where doctors from Cuba are rendering their services and confirmed that “wherever they work, they have made a difference due to their willingness to care for patients, even doing more than they should and regardless of where they are.”

According to the article, “this is acknowledged by their colleagues in the medical units and the state authorities of IMSS-Bienestar,” an institution in charge of providing free care to citizens without social security.

Some specialists in clinical areas were assigned to health centers in indigenous communities, others to basic community hospitals and even to general hospitals, such as the one in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, which is a state reference center, the newspaper pointed out.

The Cuban professionals “have ensured that people do not have to leave their communities for illnesses such as a respiratory or gastrointestinal infections; or if it is a basic community hospital, women can give birth there.”

Simple operations are also performed, such as appendix or gallbladder surgeries, and others, and patients do not have to travel to one of 16 general hospitals in Chiapas, which are saturated, the newspaper highlighted.

Just because of this work, the demand for services in the hospitals associated with a network of health centers and basic community hospitals strengthened with doctors and equipment was reduced by 30-40 percent in the last year, which is a step forward, the head of Health Education at IMSS-Bienestar, Guillermo Pérez, said.

jg/npg/las

Posted in Healthcare | Leave a comment

Mexico opens doors to Cuban doctors while training specialists

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

Mexico, Feb 18 (Prensa Latina) President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that Mexico is opening its doors to doctors from Cuba and other nationalities to fill vacant positions in the sector, while increasing the training of local physicians.

In her regular press conference, the head of State recalled that for years, in the so-called neoliberal period, the door was blocked to general physicians in the country who wanted to specialize, “in this absurd idea that if you close the entrance, then you will have excellent students.”

“You get to the current moment and you say Mexico needs more hospitals, more health centers, but for that you need more doctors,” explained the president, who emphasized the existence of four-, five- and six-year specialties.

“In terms of training your specialists, what did the Mexican Government do and what we continue to do? The door is opened to other nationalities who want to come, resident specialists, to our country, including Cuban doctors,” she pointed out.

In response to a question about the work of the Cuban physicians in the southern state of Chiapas, the president noted that they are not only found in that territory, but in many other places in the nation.

Meanwhile, the administration is promoting the training of medical specialists in Mexico, she said, and noted that in 2011, only 6,000 people were admitted in the residency (specialty) nationwide and currently there are 18,799.

“What changed? Well, simply a recognition that the country requires medical specialists and that they have to be trained in public institutions,” she stated.

jg/ro/las

Posted in Healthcare | Leave a comment