On this morning, the Chargé d'Affaires of Cuba in Liberia, Yordenis Despaigne Vera, was interviewed by journalist Matthew Myanplu, director and producer of private radio-television channel PRIME FM. The interview, which falls within the framework of activities to celebrate Africa Day, was broadcast live simultaneously on radio through the frequency 105.5 FM, television and digital channel on the Internet. Its content covered a wide range of topics, with an emphasis on the history of Cuba, its pre and post-revolutionary realities, its social achievements, its signs of cooperation and solidarity and its close cultural ties, of brotherhood and mutual respect and support for nations. African
The Cuban diplomat highlighted the links that, from the very genesis of Cuba's nationality and identity, link us with African roots. He mentioned the presence of Cuban fighters for independence and against apartheid in countries such as South Africa, Angola and Namibia and evidenced with statistics the modest but unavoidable contribution of the Caribbean nation to the economic, infrastructural, educational, medical-health and sports development of the countries. of Africa, among which he noted the presence of a brigade of 256 health professionals deployed in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea in 2014 to help tackle the Ebola epidemic that hit these nations so hard.
As a live broadcast with microphones open to the public, the interventions made by the audience ranged from the interest to know more about the Cuban reality and the perspectives of an expansion and diversification of the bilateral ties with Liberia to the recognition of the resistance and determination of the Cuban people and their social achievements despite being a small blockaded country whose greatest resource lies in the preparation of its citizens. The calls include Kesseleh Kanneh, a Cuban graduate and vice president of the Cuba-Liberia Friendship Association, who was recognized as a direct result of Cuban solidarity, which allowed him to achieve his university degree and be a professional at the service of the sports development in your country.
During the dialogue Despaigne Vera took the opportunity to thank the support that Cuba has received and receives from Liberia, especially at the time of the death of Commander Fidel Castro Ruz and systematically in the fight against the economic, commercial and financial blockade that for more than 50 years supports the island imposed by the government of the United States. He underlined the importance of continuing with this solidarity movement until its definitive uprising, as it constitutes the main challenge and brake to further economic and social progress in the homeland of Martí. He also reiterated Cuba's expressed commitment to continue contributing to the development of the African countries, consolidating the bonds of friendship that unite us and balancing, with humanism, the historical debt that exists with Africa: the cradle of our ancestors.