Integration, friendship, and sisterhood have characterized the last 12 years of the relationship shared by Cubans and Bolivians, according to Juan Ramón Quintana Taborga, ambassador to the island from the Plurinational State of Bolivia, recalling that diplomatic relations were reestablished between the two countries 35 years ago.
"We are celebrating this anniversary with a view toward a future we can create in a joint, integrated manner, fighting shoulder to shoulder against those who pretend to dominate us and make us semi-colonies.
"This moment allows us to reaffirm the commitment of the Bolivian people to support our Cuban brothers facing the criminal economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the government of the United States. We assure you that Bolivians are at the ready and beside the Cuban people in their struggles," the diplomat stated.
He referred to bilateral exchanges and the need to explore areas in which Cuba has developed valuable knowledge, such as science, trade, and culture, while indicating that his country can share its experience with increasing agricultural productivity on small parcels of land.
He noted that scientific development and the cultural revolution are key to obtaining true national sovereignty and freeing peoples from the chains of economic dependence.
"Peoples who are distanced from their identities, their culture, and their values are one step away from submission. The stronger identity and culture are, the less vulnerable and more invincible the people will be," Quintana emphasized.
Cuba's solidarity helped more than two million Bolivians learn to read and write, via the literacy programs "Yo si puedo" and "Yo si puedo seguir." (Yes, I can - Yes I can go on) Likewise, more than 5,000 students from the Andean country are studying in Cuban universities, especially the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM).
Bilateral cooperation has made it possible for Cuban brigades to offer 70 million medical consultations over the last decade in the country, and some 600,000 surgeries, free of charge, thanks to the vision restoration program, Operation Miracle.
Added to this are thousands of Bolivians who have benefited from Cuban collaboration with the country's Operation Moto Méndez, serving persons with disabilities. Toward this end, 30 specialized centers have been established across Bolivia, and 30 more are in the planning.
Ambassador Quintana emphasized that Bolivia fights for José Martí's legacy and his maxim that homeland is humanity, at this time focusing on supporting the Venezuelan people.
He pointed out that we are living at a critical time for the Americas, given the savage counter-offensive being mounted by the right across the continent, supported by U.S. security agencies and the hostile, racist policies of the Trump administration, saying, "This is a never-ending struggle, that demands united, cohesive peoples to defeat the tyrannical empire."
In 1884, Cuba and Bolivia first formalized diplomatic relations, which were broken on August 8,1964, under pressure from the U.S. government.
January 11, 1983, ties were reestablished, and on December 30, 2005, a cooperative agreement was signed, by President Evo Morales and Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz.
Following this initial agreement, covenants were established in the areas of trade, scientific cooperation, and technical assistance in several sectors. A team of Cuban advisors supported the installation of the sugar mill complex
Azúcarbol, as well as factories to process milk and tropical fruit.
"We must never forget and never concede even a bit to imperialism, because the moment we drop our guard, we will be dead men and defeated peoples," Quintana said.
"The only way to stand on our own feet is to have our political consciousness on alert, apprehensive, that's what we're doing," he continued.
In the name of the Bolivian people, Ambassador Quintana expressed his gratitude to Cuba for all its solidarity, its unconditional support, and the work of our doctors, professors, and scientists who make dreaming of a better world possible.
