Episcopio, Cyprus, June 8, 2026. The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Cyprus, H.E. Mr Rubén Pino Martínez, was received this Monday by Bishop Isaiah of the Sacred Metropolis of Tamassos and Oreinis at his headquarters in Episcopio during the courtesy visit made by the Cuban diplomat.
In the fraternal meeting, Ambassador Pino Martínez expressed his sincere gratitude to Metropolitan Isaiah for the support provided during the recent shipment of a fourth container to the Caribbean island, which departed from Cyprus on April 30, containing humanitarian aid intended for the Cuban people.
The meeting was an opportunity for Metropolitan Isaiah to recap the various events organized in previous years for fundraising for the aforementioned purposes; among them, the “Dinner of Love” held at the Episcopate, where attendees learnt about and tasted Antillean cuisine, enjoyed the joy, rhythms, dances, and the best exponents of Cuban music, and, with the funds raised, were able to contribute to that precious humanitarian aid destined for two pediatric hospitals and the Quisicuaba sociocultural project in the capital of all Cubans.
Both parties expressed their willingness to continue promoting actions of that nature, in particular, the organization of the upcoming fifth edition of the Cultural Festival “Viva Cuba Fiesta" in the natural setting of Tamassos, once again with the consent of the Dance School “Caliente Dance Studio,” the Holy Metropolis of Tamassos and Oreinis, the Pancyprian Council for Peace, and the Embassy of Cuba in Cyprus.
Pino Martínez informed the Metropolitan about the new sanctions imposed by the United States government against Cuba, measures aimed at economically suffocating the Caribbean nation and preventing the supply of fuel and any type of aid or imports from friendly countries or resulting from natural trade relations. He elaborated on the critical economic and energy situation his country is experiencing, aggravated by the reinforcement of the blockade that for more than six decades has sought to break the resistance of its people.
In response, Bishop Isaías described the policy of the U.S. government as contrary to all human and Christian logic and expressed "his confidence that, with the help of God, who is just, the American people will reconsider and contribute to ensuring that their government ends once and for all this inhumane blockade that has caused so much suffering to Cuba."
The Metropolitan recalled with special affection the trip he made to Cuba when then-Bishop Nikiforos of Kíkkos visited the Cuban capital and facilitated the construction of a sculpture of Archbishop Makarios on the Paseo de Paula; a visit in which “he understood why Archbishop Makarios loved Cuba so much".
In that spirit of friendship and cooperation, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the relations of that bishopric with Cuba and to continue promoting the diverse and prolific Cuban culture in events that share values, experiences, and exchanges with the Cypriot community. A meeting that reaffirms the bonds of friendship, cooperation, solidarity, and mutual respect between the Metropolis of Tamassos and Oreinis and the Cuban diplomatic authorities accredited in Cyprus.
Embassy of Cuba in Cyprus.