Addis Ababa, January 11, 2026.- (Prensa Latina) Cuba and Ethiopia celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, a year in which high-level delegations from the Caribbean nation visited the African country to strengthen those ties.
Yudi Mercedes Rodríguez, a member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, headed the Cuban delegation invited to the Second Congress of the ruling Prosperity Party (PP).
Rodríguez met with leaders of the House of People's Representatives (Parliament) to discuss the historic ties of friendship between the two countries and Addis Ababa's support for the fight against the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.
She was also received by the Vice President of the People's Party (PP), Adem Farah, in a meeting focused on improving cooperation between the two political groups, as well as the long-standing ties between Addis Ababa and Havana.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla visited Ethiopia from March 11 to 14, during which he fulfilled a busy schedule that included a meeting with the Speaker of the Ethiopian Parliament, Tagesse Chafo.
Chafo highlighted the strong relationship between the two countries over the past half-century and thanked the Caribbean island for its contributions to education, health, and military support for the African nation.
Farah also received Rodríguez Parrilla, who affirmed that the 50-year diplomatic relationship between the two nations, commemorated on July 18 of that year, is in good condition, while also praising Addis Ababa's admirable role in promoting peace and stability on the continent.
He then specified that there were sectors in which they could strengthen their ties and, in that regard, agreed with Farah that they should work more closely together to elevate cooperation to a higher level.
For his part, the Ethiopian political leader emphasized that Cuba has an effective relationship with Ethiopia in terms of human resource development, referring to the four thousand young people from his country who have benefited from educational opportunities on the Caribbean island.
The head of Cuban diplomacy also met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
The working visit concluded with the signing of memoranda of understanding for collaboration in technological and sports development between the two countries.
The agreement on technological cooperation was signed by the Ethiopian Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Molla, and the Cuban Ambassador to Addis Ababa, Meylin Suárez Álvarez.
The agreement on sports development was signed by the Minister of Culture and Sports, Shewit Shanka, and Rodríguez Parrilla.
GOVERNMENTS AND PEOPLES CLOSER TO EACH OTHER
In July 2025, Cuba's Deputy Prime Minister, Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca, visited Ethiopia to participate in the Second Review of the United Nations Food Systems Summit.
During his stay, he held official talks with his Ethiopian counterpart, Temesgen Tiruneh, who noted on his social media account that both countries maintain a long-standing diplomatic relationship dating back more than fifty years.
He revealed that during the dialogue they explored ways to further strengthen this alliance in multiple areas of cooperation. “Our dialogue was productive and progressive. We reaffirmed our mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral collaboration, especially in key political and economic areas that promise shared benefits for both nations,” he stated.
Tapia Fonseca, for his part, praised Ethiopia's continued development efforts, particularly the progress made in food security in recent years. He expressed his admiration for the visible transformations underway in Addis Ababa. The Cuban leader took advantage of his stay in the capital to pay tribute to the 163 Cuban combatants who fell defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the African nation, whose remains are located in the Ethiopia-Cuba Friendship Park.
The Ethiopian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hadera Abera, accompanied Tapia Fonseca and emphasized that the friendship between the two countries is enduring and defined by a legacy of shared sacrifice.
Furthermore, the president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), Fernando González Llort, made a working visit to Ethiopia from September 12 to 15, marked by exchanges and expressions of solidarity from the Cuban graduates (Ethiopian-Cubans).
González Llort spoke with the Director of Public and International Relations of the Prosperity Party, Bikila Hurissa, at which time they reaffirmed the long collaboration between both political groups and committed to deepening cooperation in the economic and social spheres.
He was also received by the Board of Directors of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Cuba at the Parliament building.
The meeting with Abdulkedir Gelgelo, head of the Board, focused on deepening relations between the parliaments of both countries, as well as cooperation on issues on the international agenda.
The exchange reaffirmed the historic bonds of friendship and solidarity that unite Cuba and Ethiopia, and the commitment to continue strengthening joint work in the legislative arena.
Furthermore, the Cuban Foreign Minister returned to this capital last October for an official visit and met with his Ethiopian counterpart, Gedion Timothewos. Both sides emphasized the existing ties of friendship and solidarity.
Rodríguez Parrilla revealed on his social media account that he conveyed Havana's interest in deepening bilateral relations, in terms of expanding economic, trade, and cooperation ties.
He was also received by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, during which he reiterated Cuba's commitment to the African continent.
Both sides discussed crucial issues on the regional and international agenda and explored avenues for renewed cooperation between the Caribbean nation and the continental organization.
The Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude for Africa's support of the Cuban people's struggle against the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States government, which is condemned annually by the international community at the United Nations.
Cuba and Ethiopia will commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, with the commitment to continue strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation that unite their governments and peoples.
(EmbaCuba-Etiopía)