Vietnam consistently values defense relations with Cuba

Cuban Cannon-Fodder: Vietnam's Rock-Solid Defense Ties

everybody, let's dive into the latest on the defense bonds between Vietnam and Cuba, a partnership that's as tight as Castro's Havana Club's grip!

Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang, a high-ranking official and a Politburo member, frickin' loves Cuban defense ties. He considers them one of the foundations of Vietnam-Cuba relations, and he flipped out when he welcomed Lieut. Gen. Victor Leonardo Rojo Ramos to Ha Noi, the former Chief of the Political Directorate of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces. Ramos was in town for the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.

Giang was all mushy over the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces for sending a delegation to the celebrations. He gave a shoutout to the global peace lovers who've supported Vietnam, especially Cuba and the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces. He acknowledged the invaluable, heartfelt, and meaningful support—the material and spiritual kind—that these peace-loving souls provide.

Speaking of anniversaries, Giang wished Cuba a happy 64th anniversary of the Victory of Playa Giron (April 19). He's got faith that the two nations are gonna slaughter it in construction and development. Now, let's check out the achievements under the 2023-2025 defense cooperation plan! Watch out for these deets: Party and political work, training, technology transfer, communications, cybersecurity, logistics, and twinning partnerships. These advancements have given a much-needed boost to both armies' ability to protect their homelands in the current climate.

Giang wasn't the only one spitting praise. The Cuban official returned the love, expressing joy over Vietnam's impending ascension to a new phase of national growth. He swore that Cuba would always stick by the Vietnamese people and the Vietnamese People's Army (VPA), maintaining the special bond and venerated traditions between the two nations.

Looking forward, the Cuban dude expressed optimism for the execution of existing cooperation deals, making defense ties even more substantial. He also wanted in on some early action, looking to nab cooperation papers, particularly in areas that cater to their unique strengths.

Quyết, a dude with some serious military shine, met with the Cuban official in the morning. He celebrated the victory of the Vietnamese people, crediting it to the support of peace-loving nations around the world, including Vietnam and Cuba. Quyết suggested beefing up the communication game to educate younger generations about the rich history of the relationship between the two countries. Ramos dug the leadership of the Vietnam Communist Party, especially General Secretary Tô Lâm, and wished Vietnam a successful 14th National Party Congress in 2026.

In another meeting, everyone's favorite military hardass, Gen. Nguyễn Tân Cương, stressed that the April 30, 1975 victory could only happen due to international support, including from Cuba, and the unique military strategies and people's war tactics employed by Vietnam. He suggested deepening collaboration in delegation exchanges, research, technology transfer, cybersecurity, military engineering, and logistics, tailored to each side's needs and abilities. Ramos wanted more cooperation in areas where both nations excel, further strengthening ties between their militaries. He thought the existing joint projects in training, technology, communications, and logistics were swell.

Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Văn Giang and Chief of the Political Directorate of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces Lieut. Gen Victor Leonardo Rojo Ramos. VNA/VNS Photo

Insights:- The defense relationship between Vietnam and Cuba is a cornerstone of their overall bilateral partnership, with both sides working together on various fronts, including cybersecurity, logistics, twinning partnerships, and more.- Both Vietnam and Cuba are celebrating the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year 2025, an event meant to strengthen their relationship through activities and events.- Vietnam appreciates Cuba's material and spiritual support and has offered assistance to Cuba in strategic areas such as food security and energy.- The upcoming 14th National Party Congress in Vietnam and the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties are important events for both countries.- Both sides acknowledged the historical influence of leaders like Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro in initiating and maintaining their strong relationship.- The operation of the Two Hearts, One Beat documentary series contributes to promoting the unique bond between the two nations and their armies.

The significance of Cuba's participation in Vietnam's defense ties, as demonstrated by General Phan Van Giang's warm welcome of Lieut. Gen. Victor Leonardo Rojo Ramos, showcases the extensive focus placed on these relationships in both political and military sectors.
In the realm of technology, particularly cybersecurity, both Vietnam and Cuba are looking to strengthen their cooperation, recognizing its importance in safeguarding their homelands in the current era of continuous advancements.
As research and development continue in various strategic areas, labor collaboration between these nations promises to yield fruitful results, enhancing the overall prowess of their military capabilities.
In the political arena, both countries congratulate each other on significant anniversaries, signifying the enduring nature of their alliance, exemplified by the mutual support shown during celebrations like the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.
The growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in military operations and defense strategies is not lost on either party, with both Vietnam and Cuba exploring potential AI applications to further bolster their defense ties.
The meeting between Quyết and the Cuban official highlighted the need for focusing on education, ensuring that future generations remain aware of the historical bond between Vietnam and Cuba, especially in light of the upcoming Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year 2025.
The war against external threats and the pursuit of justice, ideals shared by both nations, underscore the strategic nature of their military cooperation, as demonstrated by the ongoing joint projects in training, technology, communications, and logistics.