“The Cuban Revolution assures you that we will continue our triumphant march of hope and future, and that the people of Mexico can always count on Cuba,” stated Party First Secretary and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, addressing his colleague Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who arrived in Cuba, May 7, making the last stop of his tour of Central American and Caribbean countries, to conduct a working visit here.
The two leaders interacted throughout their visit as friends, as brothers. In final statements to the accredited press and delegation participants, Díaz-Canel stated, “Our people, dear President, friend, receives you with great affection, respect and the admiration you have won with your numerous expressions and gestures of support for Cuba…
“As you said, the relations shared by Mexico and Cuba are deep and historic,” Diaz-Canel added.
Speaking after the 40-minute speech delivered by López Obrador, the Cuban President described his remarks as “a lesson on how, within the very history of relations between Mexico and Cuba, we can find good reason to justify, to nurture, to continue building these relations.”
“This visit,” he added, “has been devoted precisely toward this end, confirming the nature of our ties and opening the way for their expansion and deepening.”
Diaz-Canel reported that, earlier in the day, following official talks between the two delegations, the two parties signed “a statement that establishes a new stage in bilateral relations between Mexico and Cuba,” while the two countries’ ministers of Health ratified a collaboration agreement to facilitate taking advantage of all the heath care and scientific potential, of joint efforts and intentions which together the two countries could develop in the field of health, to benefit our peoples in this noble arena.”
He added that important issues on the bilateral agenda were addressed, “our relations, but also regional and international issues.”
Díaz-Canel thanked López Obrador for “his firm position, expressed in his remarks, condemning the genocidal blockade imposed on our country by the United States government in the commercial, economic and financial arena, in addition to the current tightening of this blockade.”
“The declaration we have adopted,” he continued, “recognizes the commitment of both countries to the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, made by a CELAC Summit here in Havana (in 2014) and the respect both nations have for international law.
“I also expressed our appreciation and recognition, to our friend, President López Obrador, for his role supporting the integration of Our America, evident in the laudable work done leading the pro tempore presidency of CELAC last year, and his defense of full respect for the sovereignty and integrity of states, just as Benito Juárez always insisted.
“We agree on the impropriety of unjustified exclusions of countries in our region from hemispheric events, as it appears will occur in what we can already call the “alleged” Summit of the Americas, in quotes. As President López Obrador has said, hemispheric relations must be changed profoundly.”
“Mr. President,” Díaz-Canel said, concluding his comments, “We believe that both parties have expressed will, effort and integration, and we have made decisions that benefit Mexico and Cuba, and of course, our peoples.”
He likewise thanked his counterpart for the condolences extended to the Cuban people, in the wake of recent events, referring to the Saratoga Hotel accident.
Prior to the Cuban President’s remarks, the Mexican leader had recalled the history of relations between Cuba and Mexico, the deep ties shared by important forefathers in both countries, in their times, as well as the support and participation of these patriots in the struggles of both peoples since the 19th century to date.
López Obrador also ratified his position on the United States government's blockade of Cuba: "I have said quite frankly that the United States government looks bad using the blockade to impede the well-being of the Cuban people with the goal of forcing them, by necessity, to confront their own government. If this perverse strategy were to succeed - something that does not seem likely given the dignity (of the Cuban people) to which we have referred - in any case, it would be a costly, vile, low victory, one of those stains that they cannot be erased even with all the water in the oceans.
“But I also maintain that this is a time for brotherhood and not confrontation. As José Martí pointed out, conflict can be avoided, "with the exquisite political tact that comes from the majesty of the disinterest and sovereignty of love." It is time for a new coexistence among all countries of the Americas, because the model imposed more than two centuries ago is exhausted, has no future or way out, and no longer benefits anyone. We must put aside the dilemma of joining the United States or opposing it defensively.
“It is time to express and explore another option: to dialogue with those governing the United States, convince and persuade them that a new relationship between the countries of the Americas is possible.
“Our proposal may seem utopian and even naive, but instead of closing ourselves off, we must open ourselves to committed and frank dialogue, and seek unity throughout the American continent.
"Furthermore, I see no other alternative to the exponential growth of the economy in other regions of the world and the productive decline of all of America..."
For America, López Obrador continued later, “The proposal is, nothing more or less than building something similar to the European Union, but based on our history, our reality and our identities. In this spirit, the replacement of the OAS by a truly autonomous body, not servile to anyone, but rather a mediator, requested and accepted by the parties in conflict in matters of human rights and democracy, should not be ruled out. Although what is proposed here may seem a dream, it must be considered that without the horizon of ideals we cannot get anywhere and that, consequently, it is worth trying. It is a great task for good diplomats and political leaders like those who, fortunately, exist in all the countries of our continent.
“For our part, we believe that integration, with respect for sovereignty and different forms of government, and the proper implementation of a treaty for economic and commercial development, could benefit us all, and no one need lose. It would be, on the contrary, the most effective and responsible solution to the strong competition that exists, which will increase over time and if we do nothing to unite, strengthen ourselves and emerge victorious in a fair fight, we will inevitably face the decline of all the Americas.
At another point in his speech, the President of Mexico stated: "With all due respect to the sovereignty and independence of Cuba, I state to you that I will continue to insist on seeking, as a first step, that the United States lift the blockade of this sister nation to initiate the reestablishment of relations of cooperation and friendship between the peoples of the two nations.
For this reason, I will insist with President Biden that no Latin American and Caribbean country be excluded from the Summit next month to be held in Los Angeles, California, and that the authorities of each country freely decide whether or not to attend this meeting, but let no one exclude anyone.
Concluding his words, Lopez Obrador stated: «On a personal note, I would not bet on the failure of the Cuban revolution, its legacy of justice and lessons of independence and dignity. I will never join coup plotters who conspire against the ideals of equality and universal brotherhood. Retreating means decadence and desolation, it is a matter of power and not of humanity, I prefer to continue maintaining the hope that the revolution is reborn in the revolution, and here in Cuba it is a new great lesson: this people will once again demonstrate that being right is more powerful than force."
López Obrador also thanked "the generous, supportive and exemplary Cuban people" for awarding him the José Martí National Order, presented by President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez in a ceremony attended by members of the Party Political Bureau Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People's Power, and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz.
I admire Martí, said López Obrador, "as much as Bolívar and our Juárez."
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador arrived at the Palace of the Revolution around 10:00 am, May 8, where he paid tribute to Cuba’s National Hero, José Martí, placing a floral wreath at the base of the monument erected in his honor in the Plaza de la Revolución.
He was then officially received by his Cuban counterpart, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, also First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee. Together they reviewed the Honor Guard and then the accompanying delegations.
Participating on the Mexican side were Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón; General Luis Cresencio Sandoval González, Secretary of Defense; Admiral José Rafael Ojeda Durán, Secretary of the Navy; Dr. Jorge Carlos Alcocer Valera, Secretary of Health; Lázaro Cárdenas Batel, coordinator of advisers to President López Obrador, and Miguel Díaz Reynoso, Mexican ambassador to Cuba, among other figures.
The Cuban delegation included Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; Army Corps General Álvaro López Miera, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces; Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment; José Ángel Portal Miranda, Minister of Public Health, and Marcos Rodríguez Costa, Cuban Ambassador to Mexico.
Dr. Eduardo Martínez Díaz, president of the pharmaceutical state enterprise group Biocubafarma, and Dr. Olga Lidia Jacobo Casanueva, director of the Center for the State Control of Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices, among other figures, also participated.
Opening the exchange between the official delegations, the Cuban President reiterated to López Obrador what a pleasure it was to have him in Cuba.
“This was a much desired, expected, and longed-for visit, in which we can convey to you, on behalf of the Cuban government and people, all the admiration, respect and affection that we have for you here in Cuba for your expressions and gestures of support to the Cuban people.
"Cuba has not forgotten when you expressed, for the whole world to hear, that the Cuban people were a people who, given their dignity and heroism, deserved to be recognized as a heritage of humanity."
"This visit," Díaz-Canel later noted, "has great significance for us, given several elements. First of all, we are celebrating 120 years since the establishment of uninterrupted relations between our two countries and your visit has honored the history of our bonds of friendship, brotherhood, and solidarity.”
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador replied that it could already be, as the writers say, commonplace to talk about the friendship between Cuba and Mexico, but that he was here to reconfirm the brotherhood and solidarity shared by the two peoples.
“We are very pleased to be here, friend, President Díaz-Canel,” he reiterated.
