Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel received Namibian Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare in Havana, during the international Fidel Castro colloquium. The high-level meeting underscored bilateral solidarity, as the visiting premier condemned the ongoing U.S. embargo and pledged steadfast backing for Cuba.
A Fraternal Reception at the Palacio de Convenciones
Surrounded by participants at the first international colloquium Fidel: Legado y Futuro
, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, Primer Secretario del Comité Central del Partido Comunista de Cuba y Presidente de la República, greeted the prime minister of the Republic of Namibia with an embrace during an aparte. The meeting, held at Havana’s Palacio de Convenciones, brought together top diplomatic leadership from both nations, including Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, miembro del Buró Político y ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, and Emilio Lozada García, integrante del Secretariado del Comité Central y jefe del Departamento de Relaciones Internacionales.
The Cuban head of state emphasized the profound historical ties binding the two countries in the context of the high-level gathering, describing the visit of the delegation from Namibia as significant and relations as difficult to surpass. During the discussions, Díaz-Canel praised Namibia as one of Africa’s most active countries in condemning the blockade, noting its great strength in support of Cuba within the United Nations General Assembly.
Sabemos que estamos recibiendo a un hermano de Cuba, una vez más ustedes acuden a nuestro país en momentos difíciles. Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, Presidente de la República
Namibia Recalls Shared Struggle and Solidarity
Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare brought warm fraternal greetings from the President of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and confirmed that a presidential visit to the Caribbean island remains on her agenda, while Díaz-Canel reiterated the permanent invitation for her to visit the island. Beyond formal diplomacy, the visiting premier invoked the deep-rooted sacrifices that forged the alliance between Havana and Windhoek.
Dr. Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare, Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia, stated that they could not forget that when Cuba stood by their side at a time when solidarity was not in fashion, Cuba was always by their side, and that now they would always stand by Cuba’s side.
The prime minister also reflected on the human cost of those historical ties, recalling the sacrifice of more than two thousand Cubans in the struggles for the independence of African peoples. Acknowledging the severe challenges and difficulties currently gripping the island due to the intensified U.S. blockade, Ngurare offered direct words of empathy to his hosts.
“Sentimos vuestro dolor.”
Dr. Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare, Primer Ministro de la República de Namibia
Interparliamentary Ties and Historic Alliances in Havana
The diplomatic mission’s itinerary extended beyond the presidential meeting. On August 7, the Namibian prime minister held a fraternal encounter at the Capitolio Nacional with Esteban Lazo Hernández, miembro del Buró Político del Comité Central del Partido, presidente de la Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular y del Consejo de Estado.
Discussions at the Capitol highlighted foundational historical figures who cemented the alliance, specifically linking the common struggle for the independence of Namibia and the end of apartheid, and the legacy of the deep friendship between the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, and the Founding Father of the sister African nation, Sam Nujoma. Lazo Hernández also expressed special gratitude for the invariable solidarity of the Namibian government, parliament, and people with Cuba, as well as their condemnation of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade and other unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States.
The prime minister of Namibia reiterated his energetic condemnation of the U.S. blockade and signified Cuba’s historical solidarity with his nation, stating that his visit was a new demonstration of solidarity with the homeland amidst a challenging scenario for the country.
A Challenging Economic Backdrop and International Backing
The high-level diplomatic meetings unfold during a challenging scenario for Cuba marked by the impact of the intensified U.S. economic, commercial, and financial blockade. Meanwhile, the island receives renewed expressions of solidarity and international support. Between August 6 and 9, events such as the IV Asamblea Continental de ALBA-Movimientos—which gathered 194 delegates from 27 countries at the University of Havana—and the XXIV Encuentro Internacional de Partidos Comunistas y Obreros (Eipco) at the Palacio de Convenciones, with over 100 delegates representing 49 communist and workers’ parties worldwide, took place.
