Harare, Sep 13 (Prensa Latina) The vice president of Cuba Inés María Chapman arrived today in this capital at the head of the delegation that will represent her country at the funeral of former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe, who died a week ago at age 95.
Chapman will participate tomorrow in the farewell ceremony of former president of Zimnbabwe at the Harare National Stadium, to which numerous foreign delegations are expected, among which 11 African presidents and eight ex-presidents of the continent will attend.
The Cuban delegation is also made up of Marcos Rodríguez, general director of Political Planning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the ambassador of the Caribbean nation to this country, Carmelina Ramírez.
Zimbabwe and Cuba established diplomatic relations in 1980, when this southern African State achieved its independence.
However, their ties date back to the years of the liberation struggle in the 1960s when cadres of the ruling African National Union of Zimbabwe-Patriotic Front party trained in that Caribbean country.
After independence, Cuba supported Zimbabwe in teacher training and subsequently continued its cooperation in education with the sending of university professors.
It also highlights the collaboration of a Cuban medical brigade, which provides services in various regions of the country.
The Government of Zimbabwe has maintained constant support for the island in its claim for the end of the economic, commercial and financial blockade that the United States established almost 60 years ago against it and has denounced its recent deepening.
Mugabe visited Cuba on several occasions and attended in 2016 the funeral of the historical leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro,
The Cuban Foreign Ministry transmitted a message of condolence to the government and family members of the veteran Zimbabwean leader who died in Singapore, where he received medical attention. In the message Mugabe is recognized as an African historical leader and great friend of Cuba.
ef/ir
