Diaz-Canel praises Chinese military; Cuban diplomat denounces pressure tactics against Palestinian leaders; Uribe receives 12-year prison sentence; Russia initiates mass production of Oréshnik.
In the realm of international diplomacy, the relationship between Cuba and China continues to flourish, marked by deepening economic, scientific, and political cooperation. This blossoming alliance is rooted in shared socialist values and a united opposition to U.S. sanctions and the ongoing blockade against Cuba.
China, Cuba's largest trading partner, has provided significant support to the island nation. Solar panels have been supplied to strengthen Cuba’s energy grid, and scientific collaboration has expanded, including joint biotech laboratories for disease research and a Sino-Cuban biopharmaceutical company in China dedicated to antibody medicines.
Politically, China stands firmly with Cuba, calling for an end to the U.S. blockade and condemning unilateral sanctions and interference in Cuba’s internal affairs. Cuba and China also celebrate strong cultural exchanges and diplomatic ties, with 65 years of bilateral relations marked by academic dialogue and joint events that deepen mutual understanding of China’s foreign policy and socialist internationalism.
On the economic front, new joint ventures like DuoNex S.A. focusing on production and marketing of consumer goods have been established, highlighting ongoing efforts to promote foreign partnerships and build Cuba’s productive sectors.
Regarding the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, specific or direct information on military relations or cooperation between the PLA and Cuba is not readily available in recent public sources. However, China’s geopolitical posture, underpinned by its military as part of state power, aligns with its strategic partnerships, including Cuba, to challenge U.S. hegemony and promote a multipolar world.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the former President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe Velez, was disqualified from holding public offices for over eight years. He was sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for the crimes of procedural fraud and bribery, and ordered to pay a fine of over 3,444 million Colombian pesos. The sentence was announced through a 1,114-page ruling.
In the Middle East, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, the member of the Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, condemned unjustified coercive measures imposed by the US government on officials of the Palestinian Authority and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization. The specific nature of these coercive measures was not detailed, but Rodriguez Parrilla denounced that they aim to undermine the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
Lastly, in Russia, President Vladimir Putin announced that work is underway to prepare future positions for military specialists from Belarus and Russia. The series production of the new ballistic missile Orešnik has already started working, and the first Orešnik missile is already in service with the troops. Putin expects to close the issue of future positions by the end of the year.
Miguel Diáz-Canel Bermúdez, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic of Cuba, recognised the People's Liberation Army of China's important contribution to the process of building socialism in China. He congratulated the People's Liberation Army of China on its 98th anniversary via his X account.
[1] https://www.china.org.cn/world/americas/2021-05/27/content_77185848.htm [2] https://www.china.org.cn/world/2021-07/23/content_77279529.htm [3] https://www.china.org.cn/world/americas/2021-07/15/content_77269497.htm [4] https://www.china.org.cn/world/2021-07/22/content_77270504.htm [5] https://www.china.org.cn/world/americas/2021-07/28/content_77275099.htm
- The political bond between Cuba and China is strong, with both nations united in their opposition to US sanctions and the blockade against Cuba, and China actively supporting Cuba's call for an end to the US blockade and condemning unilateral sanctions imposed by the US.
- In the general-news sphere, the Crime-and-Justice domain saw the sentencing of former President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe Velez, to house arrest for crimes of procedural fraud and bribery.
