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Freeman Razemba and Samantha Chipoyera
Cuba has applauded Zimbabweans for a peaceful transition that ushered in the new Government and pledged to continue assisting and exploring ways to strengthen relations between the two countries.

In an interview yesterday, the Third Secretary (political and consular affairs) at the Cuban Embassy in Zimbabwe, Mr Vladimir Guerra Díaz, said the two countries have enjoyed cordial relations for a long time.

“I think the new President of Zimbabwe is trying to carry on the legacy of this country. The new President, E.D Mnangagwa, admits that the former President, R.G Mugabe is his teacher. I applaud Zimbabweans for the peaceful transition to the new Government and I hope that the economy will improve,” he said.

Cuba, said Mr Díaz, was trying to help support Zimbabwe in sectors such as sport and bio-technology. After Cuban doctors who have been deployed to various places in the country concluded their tenure soon, Mr Díaz also added, the North American country will deploy 40 more doctors next month.

“The relationship between Cuba and Zimbabwe dates back to 1980, with the former President of Zimbabwe Cde R.G Mugabe and the relationship has been excellent and we are trying to improve the relationship with collaborations in the health and education sectors,” he said.

“Right now, we have Cuban doctors working here and they are finishing this year in the next few months and there are 40 more doctors who are coming to Zimbabwe, and they have been working in places like Harare, Marondera, Chinhoyi and Bulawayo, Gweru, among other places.

“We also have Cuban professors working at the Bindura University and we are planning on bringing more to work in Harare and other provinces in Zimbabwe, and diversify to many other universities this year.” Cuba’s announcement coincides with its 59 Anniversary celebrations of its revolution.

“We choose this day to make this interview because we want to celebrate the National Day of Cuba, because January the first is the National Day of Cuba,” said Mr Diaz.

He said the commander-in-chief of the Cuban Defence Forces, President Raul Castro, who has been away, arrived in Cuba on Monday before he delivered a speech in commemoration of their national day. Cuba celebrated the 59th anniversary of its revolution as it does on January 1, with a 21-gun salute at the San Carlos de La Cabaña fortress in Havana, among other events.

The annual commemoration marks the day when leftist rebels led by the late Cde Fidel Castro entered the city of Santiago de Cuba on January 1, 1959, and overthrew the Fulgencio Batista dictatorship.