Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
THE visiting Cuban top envoy, who is also the President of the National Assembly People’s Power and Council of State, Mr Juan Esteban Lazo Hernandez says the existence of illegal economic sanctions on Zimbabwe and Cuba will not deter development in the two countries.
The Cuban top envoy paid a courtesy call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House in Harare this Monday, emphasising the need to foster bilateral relations between the two countries as a way of fighting illegal economic sanctions.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting, Honourable Juan Hernandez said despite the existence of illegal economic sanctions, there is no room to surrender.
“Cuba has always been able to count on the support of Zimbabwe in our fight against sanctions and the abuses of imperialism, against the inclusion of Cuba in the list of so-called countries sponsoring terrorism that has been creating difficulties for the life of our people because it touches our incomes, our access to financial bodies, and all that has a high impact in the living conditions of our people. But we will never surrender, we are going to keep fighting.
“It has been 63 years since the blockade was imposed on our country, but we have never surrendered nor will we ever surrender. With the support of our brothers and sisters from Africa, and especially with Zimbabwe’s support, we will continue to move forward. We have been discussing a lot of things, and we have also condemned all the sanctions that are imposed on Zimbabwe by the Western powers that have impeded the development of your country and that have imposed very hard measures on you as well.
“Our main intention is to continue to foster and to develop and deepen relations that are at this time in one of their best moments. We have been speaking of reinforcing relations between the parties, parliaments, and our governments. Most importantly, we are convinced that we should be taking commercial and economic relations to the same level in which our political relations are at this moment.
Honourable Hernandez applauded the existing bilateral relations between Cuba and Zimbabwe as thousands of Zimbabweans have studied in Havana.
“We have exchanged on the relations between Cuba and Zimbabwe. Relations that have been based on fights and battles and that are the fruit of the friendship and the eternal friendship between Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and the founding father, Robert Mugabe.
“Relations between Cuba and Zimbabwe are very close. We are celebrating this year the 45th anniversary of the relations between our two countries, but they date back to the struggle for the independence of Zimbabwe.
“Many Cubans were sent on missions here to Zimbabwe and over 3 000 Cubans have come here and there are over 3 000 sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who have been able to study and graduate in Cuba as proof of our friendship with the people.”
Zimbabwe and Cuba are celebrating 45 years of cordial relations and both countries are reeling under illegal economic sanctions which have slowed growth and expansion of economies.
