Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Desk Editor
THIS year marks 45 years since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between Zimbabwe and Cuba.
The celebrations of the historic ties that date back to the struggle for independence coincided with the visit to Zimbabwe by the President of the National Assembly People’s Power and Council of State, His Excellency Juan Esteban Lazo Hernandez, who laid a wreath at the monument erected in honour of Cuba’s founding leader, Commander Fidel Castro.
From there, the delegation proceeded to tour and hand over Cuban artefacts to the Museum of African Liberation Chairperson, Professor Simbi Mubako.
The artefacts symbolise the deep relations that exist between not only Zimbabwe and Cuba but Cuba and the African continent.
In marking the diplomatic ties, the President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the People and Hero of Cuba, Mr Fernando Gonzalez said Cuba will always hold deeply the ties that exist between Harare and Havana and support by Zimbabwe on international fora in calling for the removal of illegal embargo on Cuba by the West.
Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Sheillah Chikomo also celebrated the deep and cordial ties between the two countries.
“This is not just a celebration of the diplomatic milestone, but a demonstration of how countries, despite geographical distance, have forged enduring partnerships based on shared values and aspirations. Be reassured that we are determined to take this relationship to a new and higher level, underpinned by a shared desire to build mutually beneficial cooperation and to fight for a more just, fairer and more equitable global, particular political and economic order.
“We are grateful that Cuba has played a vital role in shaping Zimbabwe’s human resources, particularly through its generous education and healthcare support services. Cuba has been contributing immensely toward the development of Zimbabwe’s education sector through the training of human resources and skills development.”
Zimbabwe and Cuba have developed ties in the fields of education, health, agriculture along with science and technology and in 2020, Zimbabwe renamed Charter Road to Fidel Castro Road in Harare in honour of the bonds of friendship that exist between the two countries.
