All posts by JaimeM

CUBA United Nations

President Díaz-Canel sends letter to UN Secretary-General

President Díaz-Canel sends letter to UN Secretary-General
“The moment and common sense demand that the international community set aside political differences and seek joint solutions to global problems through international cooperation”

Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdezjune 26, 2020 14:06:17

Photo: MINREX
Havana, June 26, 2020

Year 62 of the Revolution

Your Excellency Mr. Antonio Gutérres

United Nations Secretary-General New York

Your Excellency:

Seventy-five years after the member states of this organization signed the United Nations Charter, strict adherence to its purposes and principles, to international law and the preservation of multilateralism are more important than ever.

We are facing multiple crises as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with devastating effects, visible in all spheres of society, expected to last and aggravate pending global challenges.

The international panorama is increasingly complex. Conflicts and the arms race are proliferating. Non-conventional wars for the purpose of domination, acts of aggression, unilateral coercive measures, the manipulation and politicization of human rights and disrespect for the self-determination of peoples are intensifying. Multilateralism is attacked, international agreements ignored and the role of organizations such as the UN and the World Health Organization is discounted.

At the same time, the current unjust international economic order deepens inequality and underdevelopment; while increasing poverty, hunger, marginalization and limited access to essential services, such as health care.

The moment and common sense demand that the international community set aside political differences and seek joint solutions to global problems through international cooperation.

It is the duty of all to keep the commitments we made when we signed the UN Charter, which continues to be an enduring, universal and indispensable basis for promoting a just, democratic and equitable international order that responds to the demands of the peoples of the world for peace, development and justice, and contributes to meeting the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

I take advantage of the opportunity to reiterate, to your Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration and esteem.

Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez

President of the Republic of Cuba

Cuban Education

UNESCO recognizes Cuba’s leadership in education

In a recent report, the United Nations organization recognized Cuba’s work to achieve quality, inclusive education

Enrique Moreno Gimeranezjune 25, 2020 10:06:54

Photo: UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognized the results of Cuba’s work to achieve quality, inclusive education in the 2020 Global Monitoring Report on Education for All -known as the GEM report.

This global monitoring mechanism is used to evaluate progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDA) No. 4: Ensure inclusive, equitable, quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The 2020 report emphasizes that Cuba has achieved 100% participation in early childhood education, in accordance with target 4.2 of this goal: “By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood care and development and preschool education, so that they are ready for primary school.”

Yahima Esquivel, Cuba’s permanent representative to UNESCO, noted on her Twitter account that the report “recognizes the effectiveness of the Cuban program “Educate your Child” in ensuring inclusive, quality education from early childhood and in rural contexts,” and praises “Cuba’s Sex Education Program, highlighting its preventive approach, gender and sexual rights, throughout the basic curriculum, optional courses and postgraduate studies.”

The diplomat likewise commented on the international organization’s recognition of Cuba exemplary work on inclusion of students with special needs in the conventional education system.

Once again, UNESCO recognizes the leadership of Cuba in this sector at the world level, a nation that in Article 73 of its Constitution states, “Education is a right of all persons and a responsibility of the state, which guarantees free, accessible, quality education services for comprehensive development, from early childhood to postgraduate university education.”

Cuban Heroine and Heroes

Honors for Cuba’s eternal father, Fidel

Honors for Cuba’s eternal father, Fidel
In Santiago de Cuba’s legendary Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, a representative group of provincial leaders honored Fidel, founding father Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and our José Martí, on behalf of the Cuban people

Eduardo Palomaresjune 22, 2020 09:06:39

Two floral wreaths from Raúl and Díaz-Canel were placed before the monumental boulder that holds the ashes of Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, on the occasion of Fathers Day.

Photo: Eduardo Palomares
SANTIAGO DE CUBA.— Floral wreaths from Army General Raul Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, and President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez were placed before the monumental boulder in Santa Ifigenia Cemetery that holds the ashes of Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, on the occasion of Fathers Day, conveying the sentiment of a people who, in these days of battle, turn to the legacy of our eternal father, sure of victory.

Lazaro Expósito and Beatriz Johnson led the tribute in Santiago de Cuba’s legendary Santa Ifigenia Cemetery.

Photo: Eduardo Palomares
Lazaro Expósito Canto and Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, members of the Party Central Committee and the highest authorities of the Provincial Defense Council, assumed the task, on a morning when, the tribute offered on behalf of the Cuban people was extended to Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and José Martí, as well.

This reverence was also present in a message from President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who congratulated Cuban fathers, tweeting, “In a nation of worthy fathers who defeated two empires, fatherhood is a source of pride.”

Authorities of the Provincial Defense Council honored the country’s founding father, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes.

Photo: Eduardo Palomares
In another message to Cuban medical professionals battling the COVID-19 pandemic in more than 20 countries, the President stated: “My first greeting this Sunday, Fathers Day, is for the doctors and nurses of the Henry Reeve brigade, who left behind the embrace of their children to kiss to the world, where there is the most suffering,” in a reference to the Buena Fe song Valientes.

Cuban Heroine and Heroes

Vilma in reborn today in the struggles of Cuban women

Vilma in reborn today in the struggles of Cuban women
Flowers for Vilma Espín Guillois from her comrade in arms and companion in life, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, crowned the tribute to the heroine before the monumental boulder that holds her ashes, on the 13th anniversary of her physical disappearance

Eduardo Palomaresjune 19, 2020 09:06:00

Photo: Eduardo Palomares
SEGUNDO FRENTE, Santiago de Cuba.— A floral wreath to Vilma Espín Guillois sent by her comrade in arms and companion in life, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, crowned the tribute to the heroine of the guerrilla and clandestine struggle before the monumental boulder that holds her ashes, on the 13th anniversary of her physical disappearance, June 18.

Teresa Amarelle Boué, member of the Party Political Bureau and secretary general of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), had the honor of placing the flowers beside the monument in the Frank País Eastern Front Mausoleum, while a wreath was added by Leyanis Riquelmes Batista, president of the Municipal Defense Council, in the name of the Cuban people.

Vilma was also remembered by President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who tweeted: “With Vilma in times of combat. Vilma, always present.” Highlighting the legacy of the eternal President of the FMC, the President quoted, in another tweet, a comment by the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz: “Vilma’s words are always intelligent, serene, revolutionary and sweet.”

During the tribute in these mountains, where after 14 months of difficult underground clandestine work Vilma joined the armed struggle, Amarelle insisted that she is reborn today in the determination of Cuban women to fight and win the COVID-19 battle, increase local production of food, and boost the country’s economy.

Joining Amarelle were Party Central Committee members Lazaro Expósito Canto Party and Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, president and vice-president of the Provincial Defense Council, as well as Brigadier General Agustín Peña Porres, head of the Eastern Army, who brought roses to honor this extraordinary Cuban woman.