Havana, April 19, 2025 – Abelardo Moreno Fernández, a distinguished Cuban diplomat, passed away this morning in the capital at the age of 80.
Abelardo began his career as a specialist at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July 1961. He pursued a remarkable and upward trajectory in Revolutionary Diplomacy, taking on various responsibilities both domestically and internationally. In 2000, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, a role he held with distinction until January 2019.
Throughout his long and fruitful diplomatic career, Abelardo served in permanent missions at Cuba’s representations to International Organizations in Geneva and at the United Nations in New York, where he held the position of Ambassador and Permanent Representative. He represented Cuba with dignity in numerous international meetings and led complex negotiation processes, earning recognition and respect from colleagues worldwide. His contributions to the success of the 14th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 2006 and the 2nd Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in 2014, along with Cuba’s presidencies of these important mechanisms, significantly enhanced Cuba’s international projection and leadership on both global and regional stages.
A mentor to several generations of Cuban diplomats, Abelardo was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by the Raúl Roa García Higher Institute of International Relations, where he also served as a Visiting Professor. He authored several books and articles on various topics in international relations, including International Negotiation: Art and Science of the Negotiation Process (2021) and The Non-Aligned Movement: Foundations, History, and Identity. A Cuban Perspective (2023).
In recognition of his merits and contributions to the foreign policy of the Cuban Revolution, it was proposed that he be awarded the Lázaro Peña Order of the First Degree.
At the time of his passing, Abelardo was serving as an Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
(Cubaminrex)