Harare, 24 March 2025- The Cuban Ambassador to Zimbabwe, H.E. Susellys Pérez Mesa, denounced the effects of the criminal US blockade of the island and the coercive unilateral measures against both nations.
In an interview with The Herald, the Head of the Diplomatic Mission assured that the blockade imposed on the largest of the Antilles is the main obstacle to our development as a country, but it is also a flagrant violation of the human rights of its population.
After recalling the daily cost to the Caribbean country of the economic, commercial and financial siege of approximately 14 million dollars, she recalled that the current U.S. administration reinforces every day the measures aimed at asphyxiating the people.
Zimbabwe and Cuba - she emphasised - are affected by unilateral coercive measures, and we share this struggle, certain that they will not achieve their objectives.
The Ambassador conveyed the message of the necessary unity because, she said, our dignity is priceless. We appreciate the support and the support and solidarity of this country, of the whole world, and in particular of the African Union in the recent Summit with the African Union with the endorsement for the 16th time, which convinces us that we are not alone in this battle.
He also reminded The Herald that bilateral relations were established on 20 April 1980, just two days after Zimbabwe's independence, and the beginning of collaboration in the health and education sectors within the framework of reciprocal brotherly ties.
In his statements to the country's leading newspaper, Pérez Mesa acknowledged President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa for his call for solidarity with Cuba against the US decision to reinstate Cuba on the spurious list of alleged sponsors of terrorism and to continue the blockade in force since 1962.
He also mentioned the visit to Harare of the President of the Council of State and the National Assembly of People's Power, Esteban Lazo Hernández, and the delegations led by the President's special envoy, H.E. Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Secretary for International Relations of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Party, and by two deputy ministers to important forums on the island.
Other themes reflected in the interviews were the role of women in the Revolution and their empowerment in society, the historic collaboration with 14 brigades and some 1,000 doctors and health sector personnel, teachers at the Bindura University of Science Education, as well as the more than 3,000 Zimbabweans who have graduated in Cuba.
The Ambassador advocated strengthening ties in the international arena within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77 plus China and the Brics, following Harare's application for membership, while recalling recent words of President Miguel Díaz-Canel in wishing a successful and prosperous year 2025 to the peoples of both countries.