Harare, January 20, 2025- The president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), Fernando González Llort, sent a message of condolences to the family and friends of Chen Chimutengwende, renowned political and solidarity leader who passed away in the capital of Zimbabwe.
It is with great consternation that we received the sad news of the physical demise of our great friend and Patron of the Zimbabwe-Cuba Friendship Association (ZICUFA), the document reads.
Chimutengwende - it adds - was a man who from a young age dedicated his life to the struggle for just causes, always watching over the future of a free and independent Zimbabwe, a faithful defender of Pan-Africanism and the unity of all African peoples.
According to Gonzalez Llort, the founder of the Zimbabwe-Cuba Friendship Association actively participated in the activities in support of our country and always showed his unconditional support and solidarity towards the Revolution.
For his attitude and perseverance in the work of Solidarity, he was awarded the Friendship Medal by the Cuban Council of State at the proposal of ICAP.
We will always keep the memory of his friendship with Cuba and his attentions to the delegations that visited our beloved Zimbabwe.
Cuba is honored to have counted Chen Chimutengwende as one of its best friends and today sincerely regrets his loss, with the certainty that he will always live in the hearts of Zimbabweans and Cubans, concludes the ICAP president's message.
Upon learning of his death, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangawa bestowed National Hero status on the prominent politician for his contribution to national independence.