On Friday, January 27, the diplomatic mission of Cuba in Liberia celebrated the arrival of the 58th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. The celebration welcomed members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international organizations and the United Nations system and officials of the Liberian government as well as representatives of the Liberia-Cuba Friendship Association and students graduated in Cuba. The official act was presided over by the Liberian party, Mr. Elías Shoniyin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, and the Cuban side by the Chargé d'Affaires Yordenis Despaigne Vera.
In his speech, Mr. Shoniyin referred to the cordial relations between the two countries, highlighting the presence of a brigade of 53 medical professionals during the confrontation of the Ebola epidemic and the granting of scholarships to young Liberians as part of the agreement to train professionals established between the two nations. He again sent a message of condolences on the death of Commander Fidel Castro.
For his part, the Cuban diplomat highlighted the most significant social achievements of the Cuban people over 57 years of Revolution, with precise figures in areas such as health, education, electrification and access to drinking water. He mentioned the prestige and international recognition enjoyed by Cuba, an example of which is his recent re-election to the Human Rights Council. A few hours before the 164th anniversary of the birth of the Cuban National Hero, José Martí, he reiterated the commitment of the Cuban people to continue fighting for the unconditional and definitive lifting of the blockade imposed by the United States against the Greater Antilles and to continue to raise the principles of solidarity, sovereignty, self-determination and equality that our heroes and the eternal Commander Fidel have left us.