Santiago de Cuba, April 3 (Prensa Latina) The Vice President of the Government of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Nikolaevich Chernyshenko, paid tribute today to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, before the monolith that houses his ashes, in the Santa Ifigenia heritage cemetery.
The Russian leader described the beginning of his official visit to the cemetery as highly symbolic, at the request of President Vladimir Putin, while affirming that his country will always stand by Cuba and assist it in the legitimate defense of its sovereignty.
Chernyshenko mentioned that both nations will celebrate several important dates this year, such as the eightieth anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, the sixty-fifth anniversary of the restoration of relations between Russia and Cuba, and the five hundred and tenth anniversary of the founding of the city of Santiago de Cuba.
According to the Cuban News Agency, the vice president expressed his honor to “be here and pay tribute to the Cuban heroes who gave their lives for the sovereignty and happiness of future generations.”
He emphasized the importance of remembering Cuban heroes and educating young people with respect and admiration, “so that they remember everything these people did for the country.”
The high-ranking official also laid wreaths at the tomb of Cuban National Hero José Martí, and at those of Mariana Grajales and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, Mother and Father of the Nation, respectively.
During his stay in Havana, Chernyshenko will co-chair the 22nd Session of the Russian-Cuban Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Commercial, and Scientific and Technical Cooperation.
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