By Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz
Cuban Ambassador to Canada
Published by The Hill Times
(In the photo, President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez)
In the margins of the end of World War II, in which they participated in the allied bloc against Nazi-fascism, Cuba and Canada established diplomatic relations on March 16, 1945.
Eighty years later, the two countries have consolidated their ties in all areas. It is a friendly relationship, based on dialogue and respect, which has created an atmosphere of trust and collaboration.
It should be noted that, when the US government pressured them into breaking off diplomatic relations with Cuba in the early 1960s, almost all the countries of the Americas broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba; Canada and Mexico were honorable exceptions. We are proud to celebrate 80 years of uninterrupted relationship.
It is noteworthy that throughout this time, it has been governments of various Canadian political tendencies that have developed ties with Cuba with seriousness and respect, defending national interests and mutual benefit. It is a solid relationship between sovereign states, above and beyond political junctures.
Cuba is proud of having welcomed three Canadian leaders in Havana; Pierre Trudeau in 1976; Jean Chretien in 1998 and Justin Trudeau in 2016.
These eighty years are an event that undoubtedly gives cause for celebration. This is why various activities will be held in Cuba as well as in Canada during 2025, in whose organization the respective embassies of both countries are actively involved. These activities include political, business, cultural and sporting exchanges.
Today there is a balanced bilateral exchange of goods and services, because despite the evident differences between our economies, we have managed to exploit their complementarities in a favorable way.
Government institutions such as Export Development of Canada (EDC) and the Canadian Commerce Corporation (CCC) support trade, while private Canadian companies, including financial institutions such as the National Bank of Canada, maintain an exemplary relationship with Cuba.
Canada is the main market for Cuban tourism industry, while Canadian capital is present in the Island with major investments in several keys areas, such as mining, energy and tourism itself.
Canada's official cooperation, both from the central government and some provincial governments, such as that of Quebec, has been successful up to the present, well accompanied by non-governmental cooperation from universities and other institutions.
Joint projects in areas of interest to both parties, such as science and technology, renewable energy and women's empowerment, stand out. There are also multiple cultural and sports exchanges, as well as humanitarian assistance in disaster situations, such as that provided in 2024 to the populations affected by hurricanes Rafael and Oscar.
The National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba and the Parliament of Canada maintain close ties, especially through their respective friendship groups. In this sense, last January, a representation of the Parliamentary Group of Friendship with Cuba visited Havana, where it carried out an extensive work program that included a visit to the National Capitol and a meeting with its president Esteban Lazo Hernández. As a reciprocal gesture, a delegation of Cuban deputies is due to travel to Canada before the end of the year.
For all these reasons and many others that do not fit in this brief article, in Cuba we not only highly value relations with Canada, but we consider them historic.
High level political dialogue has become systematic and soon will have a new round of exchanges with the visit to Ottawa of First Deputy Minister of Cuban Foreign Affairs, Gerardo Peñalver Portal, who will carry out an intensive work program in Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal.
There are many coincidences, without ignoring the differences that also exist. It is normal. But the fundamental thing is that we have created the conditions to deal with any issue, because we do it with respect and good faith.
In short, it is an 80th anniversary that we can celebrate with joy for what has already been achieved, but also for the favorable prospects to continue developing our bilateral ties.
(Cubaminrex)
See original article in: https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/03/21/cuba-and-canada-80-years-of-d...