Zimbabwe, Cuba Relations Hailed

Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Fidel Castro of Cuba. The two nations have a long record of solidarity and mutual cooperation., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Zim, Cuba relations hailed

Saturday, 28 January 2012 19:48
Sunday Mail Reporter

Zimbabwe and Cuba should continue enhancing and widening bilateral and multilateral co-operation in areas of development and promoting the political independence of both countries, the Cuban Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Cde Enrique Antonio Prieto Lopez, said yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion to mark The First of January 53rd anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution and the 159th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Cuban Revolution Jose Marti, Ambassador Lopez hailed the everlasting friendship between Zimbabwe and Cuba.

Dignitaries

The event was attended by several dignitaries, among them the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cde Raphael Faranisi, members of the Zimbabwe-Cuba Friendship Association (Zicufa) and Cuban nationals in Zimbabwe.

“This annual activity is also dedicated to the various organisations which fight for the lifting of the US blockade against Cuba and the Western-imposed economic sanctions against Zimbabwe,” said the ambassador.

“In addition, those who advocate for the freedom of the five Cuban heroes unjustly imprisoned in the USA for preventing terrorist attacks on Cuba must be thanked for their sustained and combative support to the just causes of Cuba and Zimbabwe.”

Embargoes

Addressing the same gathering, president of the Zimbabwe-Cuban Association Cde Fananidzo Pesanai said Cuba, like Zimbabwe, faced Western-imposed embargos for its principled stance on the total liberation of its people.

“Your (Cuban) people have been facing internal and external hostile forces which have sought to hinder and eliminate your victorious revolution,” he said.

The head of the Zimbabwe Committee for the Liberation of the Cuban five, Cde Lovemore Gwati, also condemned the economic blockade imposed against Cuba.

“The blockade, which now enters its fifth decade, demonstrates the cruelty of the imperialist forces,” he said.

The Cuban Five were arrested after infiltrating United Sates security against the backdrop of the massive onslaught on the Cuban people.

The five — Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González and René González — were captured by the United States in 2001 and are serving four life sentences and 75 years collectively in a US prison.