Addis Ababa, August 30, 2025.- With an emotional and solemn ceremony, the Granma 72 Association commemorated this Saturday the 45th anniversary of its founding. The event brought together former Ethiopian students trained in Cuban military academies, members of the Latin American diplomatic corps accredited in Ethiopia and senior Ethiopian government officials.
The Association, founded in 1980 by young Ethiopians trained in Cuban military educational institutions, has kept alive the flame of brotherhood between Cuba and Ethiopia. Throughout these decades, Granma 72 has stood as an example of commitment, discipline and joint work, values forged in Cuban classrooms that today are reflected in the contributions of its members to the development of the African nation.
One of the most notable moments of the event was the presence of Professor Miriam Rodríguez Hernández, a renowned Spanish language teacher during the students’ training years in Cuba. She traveled especially from Havana to take part in the commemoration and reunite with her former students, many of whom now hold positions of responsibility in Ethiopia’s public administration and Armed Forces.
In her remarks, Professor Rodríguez Hernández expressed with emotion: “It is a source of pride to see how those young people who learned the language and values in our classrooms are today men of integrity, committed to their country and to solidarity among peoples. The unity between Ethiopians and Cubans is a legacy that remains alive.”
For her part, the Cuban Ambassador to Ethiopia, Meylin Suárez, highlighted the historical importance of the date, recognizing the Association’s trajectory: “Granma 72 is a symbol of the profound bond of friendship between our peoples. Unity, discipline and love for the homeland are values we share and which this Association proudly embodies,” she stated.
The ceremony included a tribute to deceased members and a photographic exhibition with historical images evoking the years of training in Cuba, including scenes of academic life.
With this commemoration, the Granma 72 Association reaffirms its commitment to the brotherhood between Cuba and Ethiopia and its determination to continue being a living bridge between two peoples that have nurtured solidarity, cooperation, and friendship.
(EmbaCuba-Etiopía)