Victory of Cuban Revolution – influential event in 20th century

Hanoi (VNA) – Cuba is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution (January 1, 1959), which was significant to not only the country but also the whole Latin America in the 20th century.

The remark was made by Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera in an interview about this event with Vietnam News Agency.

The ambassador stressed that the success of the Cuban Revolution on January 1, 1959, which put an end to the Batista dictatorial regime and the 500 years of the colonial rule in Cuba, was one of the most influential political events in Latin America in the 20th century.

To Cuba, this victory was the result of the struggle for national liberation launched in the 19th century that fought against firstly the Spanish colonialists and then the US-backed administration.

Following the triumph, inclusive social and democratic policies were implemented, turning Cuba into one of the world’s leading nations in terms of health care, education, sports and culture, the diplomat noted.

Social achievements of the Cuban Revolution have brought benefits to many other countries, Rivera said, adding that more than 35,600 medical workers of 138 countries have received free training in Cuba. Cuban doctors have also performed tasks in 165 countries around the world. Through the “Yo, sí puedo” or “Yes, I can” programme designed by Cuban experts, more than 9 million people in 30 countries have escaped from illiteracy.

Meanwhile, Cuba has played an active role in the Non-Aligned Movement. It has taken the lead in setting up integration and political consultation mechanisms like the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA-TCP) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), she added.

Regarding the Vietnam-Cuba relations, the ambassador said the two countries should lift their economic and trade ties on par with the sound political connections. They are currently making efforts to strengthen trade links and increase Vietnamese businesses’ presence in investment projects in Cuba.

During a State visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong from March 28 to 30 this year, Cuban leaders re-affirmed their support for Vietnamese enterprises’ engagement in the local development process.

Ambassador Rivera noted the two sides should keep realising the agreements reached during Trong’s visit and an official trip from November 8 to 10 by President of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Miguel Diaz-Canel. They need to continue bringing into play the role of cooperation mechanisms like the Inter-governmental Committee, which convened the latest meeting in Havana last November.

Additionally, the countries need to support economic sectors so that Vietnamese businesses can expand their presence in Cuba and promote exchange initiatives in the fields the Caribbean nation is strong at such as health care, medicine and sports. They should also further utilize their cooperation experiences in agriculture, biotechnology, construction, science-technology, justice, tertiary education, journalism and culture, the diplomat added. –VNA