El Salvador has much to learn from Cuba, especially in matters of public health," said the country's President-elect, Nayib Bukele, upon receiving Gladys Bejerano Portela, a vice president of Cuba's Council of State, who attended his inauguration on June 1.
Bukele said that his government's relations with Cuba will focus on mutual development and cooperation, while Bejerano conveyed greetings from Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez to her host, along with his best wishes for new government's first years.
Prensa Latina reports that Cuba will continue its current political, economic, and cooperation relations with El Salvador, and work to maintain the bonds of friendship shared by the two nations. Since the resumption of diplomatic ties, Cuba has offered its cooperation in areas such as health, education, culture, sports, the environment, and other areas of common interest. Outstanding among these projects is Cuba's ophthalmological efforts, with more than 34,000 surgeries for cataracts, pterygium, and retinopathies, provided free of charge by Cuban doctors. The Cuban literacy instruction method "Yo Sí Puedo" has been well received here, as well, along with advice from educators that helped reduce the national illiteracy rate to 6.6%.
These accomplishments were highlighted by outgoing President Salvador Sánchez Cerén, who met with the Cuban Vice President, on the last day of his administration.
