The year 2023 was characterised by a complex international scenario of threats to international peace and security, growing polarisation and inequality, as well as the permanence of an unjust and unsustainable international economic order.
The strengthening of the extraterritorial application of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US government against Cuba marked the period significantly, along with the consequences of the conflicts, which generate economic and social instability, disruption of trade flows and interruptions in the global supply chain, artificial price increases and other consequences that have a particular impact on developing countries such as ours.
Despite this, Cuba made progress in its foreign policy objectives and maintained its traditional activism and prestige in international and regional organisations and forums.
In the face of these difficulties, foreign policy has paid special attention to economic diplomacy, to the contribution of the foreign service to support the procurement of fuel, parts and pieces for the electrical system and renewable energies, food, medicines, funds and other essential inputs for the improvement of the difficult socio-economic conditions.
The attendance of Cuban diplomacy to multiple international forums, to dissimilar events and to numerous meetings in different countries, has not only been aimed at strengthening our political relations, but particularly at achieving commercial and financial exchanges and developing economic possibilities, which make it possible to face the difficult situation that the country is going through and that Cubans are suffering.
At the same time, we continued to develop ties at the bilateral level and at the end of 2023, Cuba had diplomatic relations with
195 States. Of these, 190 are full members of the United Nations and 5 are not (Palestine, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Cook Islands, Holy See and Niue).
In addition, we have diplomatic relations with the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta, and also with the European Union. This brings the total to 197.
The isolation of the United States in its hostile policy towards Cuba was ratified by the adoption, for the 31st time, of our resolution against the blockade at the United Nations. The text received, once again, the support of the overwhelming majority of the international community, and was adopted by 187 votes in favour, 2 against (USA and Israel) and 1 abstention (Ukraine).
The economic, commercial and financial blockade remained the main obstacle to understanding and relations with the US. The effects of this intensified policy were accompanied by the subversive component and campaigns to discredit the Cuban government in order to promote changes in our political, economic and social order. These are historical pillars that met with traditional opposition and categorical rejection in the conduct of Cuba's foreign policy.
During the year, spaces for dialogue were consolidated at the intermediate level with the White House and the State Department, and the gradual, albeit limited, reactivation of bilateral exchanges on issues of mutual interest continued on the basis of the 22 memoranda signed during Obama's term in office. Migration was the most dynamic area, while the Law Enforcement and Compliance Dialogue and a roundtable on economic issues resumed.
The US policy of hostility and maximum pressure continues to be the main factor influencing Cuba's difficult economic situation. Our government has consistently and emphatically denounced this illegal and interfering policy. Various actors in the US, including some in Congress, identified this policy as the main cause of the increase in migratory flows from Cuba.
The inconsistency of keeping Cuba on the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism was brought directly to the attention of the Biden administration, despite the repudiation by a growing number of international and US actors. The letter from 21 members of Congress demanding Cuba's removal from the list stands out. Also notable was the visit of a congressional delegation from Connecticut, which met with counterparts in the National Assembly of People's Power.
Also noteworthy were statements, resolutions and letters to President Biden from local governments in Washington DC, Berkeley, Minneapolis, Washtenaw in Michigan; from AFL-CIO Labor Councils in Sacramento, Monterey Bay and San Diego-Imperial counties; a group of 160 lawyers; state legislators in New York; 120 Presbyterian churches in the USA; and the letter from the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to Senator Robert Menendez, then chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The imposition of multimillion-dollar fines on five companies for violations of various sanctions programmes, including the blockade, ratified the permanence of instruments of economic pressure in its policy against Cuba. Our government denounced this policy in bilateral and multilateral forums, as well as the persecution of fuel supplies to Cuba, the maintenance of practically the entire Cuban business fabric on a List of Restricted Cuban Entities, the impossibility of accessing inputs with more than 10% US components, the persecution of medical cooperation programmes and the possibility of filing lawsuits in US courts under Title III of the Helms-Burton Act.
Cuban foreign ministry and government officials rejected other White House actions aimed at discrediting the Cuban government, such as the politicised treatment in State Department thematic reports, the permanence of Cuba in Tier 3 of the Trafficking in Persons Report, the claim that the country does not cooperate with US "anti-terrorist efforts", the negative assessment of human rights, the manipulation of the situation of persons facing convictions for crimes associated with the events of 11 July 2021, or the placement in the category of countries of particular concern in religious matters.
Dialogue with various sectors of US society was ongoing. The most visible moment was President Miguel Díaz-Canel's visit to New York, where he paid homage to Malcolm
X, to Father Félix Varela, had exchanges with scientists, businessmen, academics, artists, US and Cuban religious leaders, as well as a multitudinous meeting with solidarity organisations.
Of particular note was the meeting in April in Havana between the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the US Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the subsequent visit of the former to the US to deepen scientific collaboration.
A report by the US intelligence community, which ruled out that the symptoms of the diplomatic and consular officials in Havana were the result of a campaign led by an adversary of Washington, has been released, and the alleged health incidents were not linked to the actions of a foreign enemy.
The Cuban government reiterated its willingness and readiness to move towards a more constructive and respectful relationship with the US, without undermining Cuban sovereignty and independence.
Cuba's ties with Latin America and the Caribbean remained based on the defence of the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of States and the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in January 2024.
The regional consensus against the blockade was regained and public rejection of Cuba's inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism grew. These issues were repeatedly present in the discourse of several Latin American and Caribbean political leaders (twenty Latin American and Caribbean Heads of Delegation in their speeches at the UNGA), as well as in the final declarations of international events such as the VII CELAC Summit, the IX Summit of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and the III CELAC-EU Summit.
Another of Cuba's main foreign policy outcomes towards the countries of the region in 2023 was the participation of 14 of them at the level of President or Prime Minister in the G77 Summit and China. Two others were represented by their Vice-Presidents, five by their Foreign Ministers and two by their Foreign Ministers.
by their foreign ministers and two by other ministers. Mexico attended at Foreign Minister level, as a guest country.
In this context, the Cuban President held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Honduras, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the heads of CARICOM delegations and the Mexican Foreign Minister. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero received his counterpart from Guyana, while the foreign ministers of Cuba and Jamaica met.
Several governments of the region were also represented at ministerial level at the meetings of High Authorities on Tourism, Culture, Education, Environment, Science and Innovation of the G77 and China, held in Havana.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel paid an official visit to Campeche, Mexico (11 February), where he was conferred the Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest decoration awarded by the Mexican State. He also completed the first official visit by a Cuban Head of State to Belize (12 February), during which memorandums of understanding were signed on cooperation in cultural matters, migration alerts, security information and water resources.
The Cuban leader also headed Cuban delegations to the VII CELAC Summit, the XXVIII Ibero-American Summit, the III CELAC-EU Summit, the Virtual Summit against inflation and the Palenque Summit on migration.
Army General Raúl Castro Ruz led the Cuban delegation to the central event in Venezuela, marking the 10th anniversary of the death of Commander Hugo Chávez.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez participated, as a special guest, in the IX Meeting of the Puebla Group, whose Final Declaration reflected the denunciation of the application of unilateral coercive measures against Cuba and Venezuela. For her part, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Josefina Vidal, headed the delegation to the IX Summit of the ACS, the first of its kind in Latin America.
IX ACS Summit, the VII International Cooperation Conference and the XXVIII Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of this sub-regional mechanism, held in Guatemala, as well as to the 11th UK-Caribbean Forum, held in Guatemala.
the 11th United Kingdom-Caribbean Forum, in Jamaica, as an Observer Country.
In Cuba, the official visit of the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was received, in the framework of which three agreements were signed in the areas of health, agriculture, science, technology and the environment.
Also visiting Cuba were Bolivian President Luis Arce Catacora, Colombian Vice-President Francia Márquez, who led a large delegation from her country, Guest of Honour at the 31st Havana International Book Fair; the foreign ministers of Panama, Janaina Tewaney, and the Dominican Republic, Roberto Álvarez; the President of the Bolivian Senate, Andrónico Rodríguez; the Minister of Culture of El Salvador, Mariemm Pleitez; as well as the chief advisor to the President of Brazil, Celso Amorín, and a delegation from the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), headed by the organisation's first vice-president, Diosdado Cabello.
Important political figures from the region participated in the Congress on the New International Economic Order, organised by the Progressive International and held in Havana, within the framework of the Fifth International Conference "For the Balance of the World", with the presence of the foreign ministers of Saint Lucia, Alva Baptiste; Saint Kitts and Nevis, Denzil Douglas and Panama, Janaina Tewaney. The Vice President of Bolivia, David Choquehuanca, in addition to participating in this event, presented his book "Geopolitics of Living Well" at ISRI.
Political Consultation meetings were held with Chile, El Salvador, Bolivia and Colombia. Rounds of migration talks also took place with Ecuador and the Dominican Republic.
Cuba's contribution to peace in Colombia was recognised as a guarantor and alternative venue for the peace talks between the Colombian government and the ELN. The Third Cycle of the Table of Dialogues between the two parties was held in Havana, with the participation of President Gustavo Petro at the closing ceremony, and important agreements were signed. Both delegations issued a joint communiqué, in which they thanked Cuba for hosting the Third Cycle and called on the US government to stop considering our country as a state sponsor of terrorism. Cuba participated in the second and fourth cycles of negotiations, in Mexico and Venezuela, respectively.
The countries of the Caribbean Community maintained their activism in rejection of the blockade policy imposed by the US, which was ratified in the declarations of the 44th Regular Meeting and the 45th Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government, as well as their meeting with US Vice-President Kamala Harris.
Cuban medical collaboration was maintained in 12 Caribbean nations and one non-independent territory, as well as in Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina and Uruguay.
With the European Union, the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) was maintained as a reference point for relations with the EU bloc, which reached its 35th anniversary. Its third implementation cycle concluded with the holding of the Joint Council in Havana, co-chaired by the High Representative, Josep Borrell. Progress was made in the links with the European Parliament in the field of cooperation.
The holding of the fourth round of the political dialogue on human rights between Cuba and the European Union, with the visit of the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, demonstrated the willingness of both parties to address these issues in an atmosphere of respect, reciprocity and constructive spirit.
The presence of Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz at the Intergovernmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) held in Sochi contributed to the progress of Cuba's relations with the member countries of that organisation.
The high level of political dialogue with Russia was maintained, which made it possible to create better conditions for making progress on new projects in the economic, trade and cooperation spheres. The visits to Russia by ANPP President Esteban Lazo, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, and to Cuba by Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Chernyshenko and DUMA President Vyacheslav Volodin were noteworthy.
High-level visits were made to Serbia, Italy, the Holy See, Portugal, Belgium and Türkiye, which contributed to strengthening relations with these countries and confirmed the potential for economic, trade and co-operation links. Visits were received from the Chancellors of Hungary and Switzerland and the special envoy of Pope Francis. In the case of Türkiye, a Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments Agreement (APPRI) and a double taxation avoidance agreement were negotiated.
Political dialogue with Belarus was deepened and progress was made in identifying projects in the economic and commercial sphere, to which the exchange of high-level visits such as that of the Belarusian Foreign Minister to Cuba and that of Prime Minister Manuel Marrero to Minsk contributed.
A bilateral Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement was signed with the United Kingdom during the visit to Cuba of the Foreign Office Minister for the Americas and the Caribbean, David Rutley.
Inter-Chancellery Political Consultations were also held with the Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Romania, Azerbaijan and Russia, in various forms.
Political dialogue and economic ties were maintained with Canada in sectors of importance to our economy, including tourism, with a gradual recovery.
First-rate face-to-face exchanges were held with Asia and Oceania, which made it possible to strengthen political dialogue and strengthen ties of friendship and cooperation with the region. Cuba's presidency of the G-77 was also conducive to reactivating ties at the highest level, with the participation of three heads of state (Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Laos), as well as several foreign ministers and ministers in charge of science, technology and the environment.
Visits to Cuba were made by India's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Culture in January, Singapore's Foreign Minister in April and the Head of Government of the Indian state of Kerala in June. In addition, Inter-Chancellery Political Consultations were held with China, Japan, Thailand and Singapore.
With China, the meeting between Presidents Miguel Díaz-Canel and Xi Jinping on the margins of the BRICS Summit in South Africa was an important boost for the implementation of bilateral agreements. The results of the first visit to China by President the results of the first visit to China by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero and Roberto Morales, member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organisation of the CCPCC, to reactivate party exchanges.
Also, the first visit to Cuba in 7 years by a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CC CCPCC, comrade Li Xi, who travelled as special envoy of the President for the G77 Summit and China, and the successful holding, after a 6-year pause, of the XXX Session of the Intergovernmental Commission.
With Vietnam, the fluid high-level exchange continued, with the visit to Cuba of the President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue in April and the visit to Vietnam of the member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organisation of the CCPCC, Roberto Morales, in May. The visit of comrade Esteban Lazo in September, at the head of the Cuban delegation to the commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the visit of the Commander-in-Chief to the liberated territories of the South, allowed the deepening of political dialogue and the promotion of important strategic projects in the agro-food sector. Vietnam consolidated its position as the leading investor in Cuba in the Asia-Oceania region.
Progress was also made in economic and trade ties with India, and the significant commercial credit line for the purchase of rice from that country was successfully implemented.
The Cuban Parliament was accepted as an Observer to the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), which is an important step towards deepening ties with this regional organisation.
Relations with North Africa and the Middle East showed significant progress, especially in the economic and commercial sphere, as well as in cooperation in the area of health and biotechnology. The official visits of President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran, as well as their participation in COP 28 in Dubai, were important events for the relaunching of bilateral relations, with the signing of a significant number of agreements in areas of common interest.
Also of great importance for the development of bilateral relations were the visits to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Ricardo Cabrisas.
Inter-Chancellery Political Consultations were held with Saudi Arabia. Several authorities from countries in the region visited Cuba, including the Presidents of Iran and Palestine and the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen, to attend the G-77 and China Summit.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the Cuban President's tour of Angola, Mozambique and Namibia stands out. The wealth of solidarity that Cuba enjoys in that region was ratified, as well as the respect and gratitude for our contribution to the independence processes in that area.
The visit of Cuban Vice-President Salvador Valdés to Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Togo, expanded the possibilities for exchange in areas of mutual interest, consolidating the close political ties with these nations and particularly with the African Union.
For the fourteenth consecutive time, the African Union condemned the blockade against Cuba and demanded an end to this policy.
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Elio Rodríguez paid an official visit to Liberia, the Republic of Congo, South Africa and Botswana. The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representative to the UN, Gerardo Peñalver, participated in the inauguration of the President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Inter-Chancellery Political Consultations were held with Senegal, Uganda, Gabon and South Africa.
Most of these exchanges, in addition to promoting better bilateral and multilateral relations and consensus, have included a relevant economic content, which has allowed the signing of agreements and the advancement of our priorities in the interest of economic recovery and the achievement of the approved socio-economic objectives, in order to improve the economic and social situation.
Cuba played an active role in multilateral fora, with emphasis on the defence of the interests, priorities and needs of developing countries, as well as in support of just causes, of which Cuba is a permanent and unconditional defender. Support for the Palestinian cause and the struggle for a more just and equitable democratic world order, based on international law and the sovereign equality of states, are examples of this.
Organisations and mechanisms such as the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Ibero-American Summit, the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and the Group of 77 and China, among others, have spoken out against the blockade.
Cuba's continued inclusion on the US State Department's arbitrary list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism also generated massive international rejection. This was evident in the documents issued at the VII CELAC Summit, the XXVIII Ibero-American Summit, the III CELAC-EU Summit, the IX ACS Summit, the NAM Ministers' Meeting, the IV Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends in Defence of the United Nations Charter, the XXII ALBA Political Council and other regional and multilateral fora.
In the General Debate of the High Level Segment of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the overwhelming solidarity of the international community with Cuba was reaffirmed. In their speeches, 44 dignitaries rejected the blockade and 21 rejected the inclusion of our country on the spurious US List of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism.
As Chair of the Group of 77 and China, Cuba contributed to the collective efforts to maintain the unity of the South and to strengthen its voice, relevance and activism at the international level.
The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the G77 and China on "Current development challenges: the role of science, technology and innovation", held in Havana on 15 and 16 September, is described as a success. This is demonstrated by its results and the high level of participation, with more than 1300 participants from 116 countries, including 31 Heads of State and Government and representatives of 12 organisations, agencies and programmes from the science, technology and innovation system organisations, agencies and programmes of the United Nations system.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez developed a broad multilateral agenda, representing Cuba and the 134 countries of the G-77 and China. His participation in events held in the framework of the High-Level Segment of the 78th UNGA was noteworthy: the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, the General Debate of the 78th UNGA, the Climate Ambition Summit and the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response.
The G-77 Leaders' Summit within the framework of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, chaired by Miguel Díaz-Canel, was an unprecedented event convened by our country, with relevant results for the Group, in the face of international climate negotiations.
The participation of Cuba, as President of the G-77 and China, in international meetings outside the framework of the United Nations and the traditional scope of action of the Group, contributed to positioning the visions of the developing world in those spaces. He highlighted the participation of President Miguel Díaz-Canel in the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, held in France, on June 22 and 23, and the BRICS Summit, held from August 22 to 24 in South Africa.
Likewise, the participation of the First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gerardo Peñalver Portal in the Meeting of Foreign Ministers Friends of the BRICS Group, held in South Africa, on June 1 and 2, was relevant.
Cuba's active participation and leadership was confirmed in the most important events and negotiating processes, among which the Summit of the NAM Contact Group in response to Covid-19 and on post-pandemic recovery, the
V United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, the United Nations Conference “Water for Sustainable Development”, the VI Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, the Petersberg Climate Dialogue 2023 and the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
The accurate leadership of the Group and its cohesion made it possible to reach the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity beyond National Jurisdiction.
A relevant result of the Cuban Presidency of the Group was the holding in Cuba of sectoral events and meetings of the G-77 and China with good results. The meetings of Ministers of Education, Culture, Tourism, Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Congress on the New International Economic Order and the panel of intellectuals on “The literary production of the South at the service of the development of our peoples” stood out.
Additionally, notable was the presentation of a portfolio of 17 cooperation projects for the benefit of developing countries, in areas such as health, education, biotechnology, confronting climate change and disaster risk reduction, as well as the granting of 8 scholarships in the specialty of Medicine to 4 member countries of the G-77 and China.
Cuba continued to actively participate in CELAC activities under the presidency of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The participation of the Cuban delegation, headed by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, in the VII CELAC Summit, on January 24, in Buenos Aires and the III CELAC – European Union Summit, on July 17 and 18, was highlighted. in Brussels.
Cuba's active performance in several meetings of ministers from other sectors, held within the framework of CELAC and the Ibero-American Conference, constituted a reliable example of our genuine interest in continuing to promote dialogue and agreement, and allowed us to highlight the full validity of the postulates of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.
Cuba appeared for the fourth time before the Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights. During the exercise, the vast majority of delegations recognized the country's commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.
By virtue of this commitment, successful academic visits were made by the Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on Unilateral Coercive Measures and the Vice President of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Furthermore, President Miguel Díaz-Canel
He held a meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to whom he conveyed the Cuban government's will to continue improving the legal and institutional framework in that area, as well as to promote cooperation in this area.
Of particular relevance was Cuba's election to the Human Rights Council (2024-2026), with the largest number of votes from its regional group, which confirms international recognition of the country's work in this matter. She was also elected to the Executive Council of UNESCO (2025-2027), as evidence of her prestige in the field of education, science and culture.
In the legal field, we signed 29 government agreements, with the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Honduras, Serbia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Algeria, Namibia, Rwanda, Burundi, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi Fund, the French Development Agency and the European Union, which cover issues relevant to the Cuban people and the development of the nation.
Attention to Cubans residing abroad remained a priority of the work of the Ministry and its consulates and consular offices in 123 countries.
On November 18 and 19, the IV Conference “The Nation and Emigration” was successfully held in Havana, with the participation of 371 Cuban citizens residing in 57 countries. The good moment in the ties between Cuba and its nationals abroad was highlighted and how the changes in our country enable an increasingly growing participation of the same in the development of Cuba. It was a favorable opportunity to take stock of what has been achieved and identify the areas that remain to be worked on together.
The actions and public projection of Cubans residing abroad in favor of the elimination of the blockade continued. 11 National Meetings and two Regional Meetings of Cuban Residents were held (in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Europe), which made activism and support for the nation possible.
During different working visits abroad, President Díaz-Canel held meetings with Cubans residing in 14 countries, ratifying the invariable decision to strengthen and diversify ties with Cuban men and women living at any latitude.
The holding of Rounds of Migration Talks between Cuba and other countries in the region (Ecuador, Bolivia and the Dominican Republic), with positive results, made it possible to strengthen cooperation mechanisms and the exchange of consular matters, with the aim of guaranteeing regular migration orderly and safe.
Within the framework of the 39th Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2023), the VI Foreign Investment Forum was held with the participation of Cuban businessmen. For the first time in these fairs, an exhibition space was created dedicated to Cubans residing abroad who today have business relations with their homeland or have the intention of establishing business with Cuba.
Organizations of Cuban Residents in different countries made donations of medical supplies, powdered milk and other materials for different entities of the country's health system through different projects (Hormigas Solidarias from Spain, the Maleta Solidaria from Belgium, Puentes de Amor and the José Martí Cultural Association from the USA). “Bridges of Love” caravans were also developed against the Blockade.
The promotion of an objective and comprehensive Country Image remained among the priorities of the communication work of the Cuban Foreign Ministry. A better and more effective articulation was achieved between MINREX and national and international actors in the area of digital communication, especially in relation to the projection of the objectives of the Cuban Presidency of the Group of 77 and China.
In a year of intense international activity, due to the attendance of numerous Summit meetings, coinciding with said presidency and the responsibilities inherent to it, extensive coverage was guaranteed for bilateral official visits and the participation of President Miguel Díaz-Canel in high-profile events. level. The Havana Summit stands out, those held within the framework of the United Nations General Assembly and COP28, in which Cuba organized an unprecedented Summit of leaders of this important group.
The #MejorSinBloqueo campaign used innovative codes and audiovisual products with greater impact, incorporating information capsules from the leaders' speeches that made reference to the damage of this genocidal policy on the Cuban people and the inclusion of Cuba on the list of countries sponsoring terrorism, both in the general debate and in the consideration of the issue by the General Assembly.
Likewise, numerous communication components were executed with the hashtag #CubanosConDerechos to accompany the election of Cuba as a member of the Human Rights Council and the presentation of the IV Universal Periodic Report to the Council itself.
The Foreign Ministry's activism on digital networks continued. The ministry ventured into the new Threads platform, based on the Cubaminrex account on Instagram and also experimentally explored the applications that can be generated with the use of Artificial Intelligence. There were notable advances in graphic production and the use of the English language, with a marked increase in the production of 419 graphics and 198 audiovisual products. The work of monitoring and analyzing media information was systematic, with special follow-up on prioritized issues for foreign policy.
The cultural and academic work contributed positively to the results of communication management, highlighting the celebration of the V Conference for the Balance of the World. The Minrex was awarded the medal for the 25th anniversary of the Martí Program and our art gallery was included in the exhibition circuits of the capital.
The high level of foreign press coverage of the calls from the OACE, OSDE, institutions and political and mass organizations was significant. Likewise, the participation of accredited media in major political, tourist and cultural events.
The Cuban diplomatic missions abroad continued to contribute, increasingly, to the communication, academic and cultural work of the country.
The ministry continues the implementation of the Government Management System Based on Science and Innovation, in which it has been progressively advancing. A strategy was approved for its comprehensive development, which includes the organization, missions abroad and other national institutions.
The Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI) and the International Policy Research Center (CIPI) contributed with their contributions to the application of science to foreign policy, through research results, publications such as scientific journals. and its own publishing label. During the period, 4 research projects continued to be developed by various study centers, as part of the International Relations Sector Program.
The ISRI continued to raise its teaching-educational level through the application of the curricula of the Bachelor's Degree in International Relations, the beginning of the quality certification process and through the training and elevation of the academic and technical-professional level of its members. professors and officials of MINREX and other OACEs from the external sector. It taught the Postgraduate Specialty in Foreign Service, a new edition of Diplomas in this subject, concluded the 2020 edition of the Master's Degree in International Relations and reformulated its Computerization Project.
The preparation of the file for the approval of the Doctorate program in International Relations is in its final phase and five new lines of research were approved, added to the growing scientific work carried out by the Institute.
The ISRI internationalization process continued to intensify with the signing of 13 new Collaboration Agreements, including a German Foundation and a United Nations entity, which are already yielding concrete results. Increases interest in the academic services of the Institute.
In addition to successfully hosting the sub-headquarters of the Havana International Book Fair, during the period the organization of Colloquiums, Conferences, Workshops and other international events increased significantly, with the participation of professors and representatives of the academic world, as well as the diplomatic corps accredited in Cuba.
Progress was recorded in the Ad Hoc University Scientific Magazine and in the International Politics magazine. The publication of 5 books from the “International Politics” Ediciones Label stands out.
The CIPI continued its contributions to the application of science in foreign policy through 6 research projects, the Scenarios of International Politics, the publication of articles, presentations, thematic dossiers, 11 books and 3 issues of the magazine Cuadernos de Nuestra América (CNA), as well as the participation of researchers in national radio and television programs. CNA magazine was certified by CITMA as a Scientific-Technological Serial Publication. Superior results were obtained in the management of the Science, Technology and Innovation Sector Program “International Relations”.
The holding of events stands out: VIII Strategic Studies Conference and the XXI edition of the Series of Dialogues on Cuba in the Foreign Policy of the United States. The Center had greater activism at the international level, highlighting its participation in important events such as the Primakov Readings in Moscow, the III Belt and Road International Cooperation Forum in China and the XXXVI Annual Congress of the Mexican Association of International Studies ( AMEI).
In the Protocol activity, 172 first-level visits were received, which tripled the number of delegations of that category received in 2022. Of significant organizational work, and recognized success, was the celebration of the G-77 Summit in Havana and China.
Protocol advice was provided to 168 activities linked to the first level, among which the preparation of the visits of President Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero, the President of the National Assembly, Esteban Lazo and the Vice President Salvador Valdés stand out.