Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

AUTHORITIES from the Republic of Panama have announced the detention in the Port of Colón of the Chong Chon Gang cargo boat, flying the flag of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which arrived from Cuba. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the abovementioned boat sailed from a Cuban port, bound for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with a cargo mostly consisting of 10,000 tons of sugar. Additionally, the ship was transporting 240 metric tons of obsolete defensive armaments – two Volga and Pechora antiaircraft rocket launcher complexes, nine rockets in parts and spares, two MiG-21bis and 15 engines for this type of aircraft, all manufactured in the mid-90s – to be repaired and returned to our country. Agreements signed by Cuba in this sphere are based on the need to maintain our defense capacity in order to preserve national sovereignty. The Republic of Cuba reiterates its firm and irrevocable commitment to peace, disarmament – including nuclear disarmament – and respect for international law. Havana, July 16, 2013