Díaz-Canel speaks with Russia Today about Venezuela and international solidarity

Images via Estudios Revolución

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel spoke to the press on Thursday, February 5, in Havana about the situation facing the island in the wake of the latest criminal measures imposed by Washington and the Trump regime. This very long press conference that involved exchanges with several reporters is of real importance in understanding the situation from a perspective not generally reflected in the western media. We are translating the questions and answers in a series of articles.

Question One:

Oliver Zamora, representing RT, Russia Today (translated from the Spanish)

Oliver Zamora - Greetings, President.

Miguel M. Díaz-Canel - Greetings, Oliver.

Oliver Zamora - I would like to inquire about two matters, first regarding the rhetoric of collapse that has started to gain momentum from the United States government, particularly under President Donald Trump, and echoed by media outlets affiliated with this government following the events of January 3.

I would appreciate it if you could explore in more detail the actual level of dependence that existed between the two governments and what can now be expected in the bilateral relations between Cuba and Venezuela.

Another issue is the wave of solidarity Cuba has received. It's important to consider whether this solidarity, which has so far been mostly rhetorical, could evolve into more practical support despite threats from the United States.

Miguel M. Díaz-Canel - Okay, Oliver.

I think that the collapse theory and the emphasis on collapse are closely tied to the failed state theory and a range of constructs used by the United States Government to describe the situation in Cuba.

This theory of collapse is specifically linked to one of the approaches or directions the United States Government is pursuing to overthrow the Cuban Revolution.

I say that there are two fundamental directions: economic asphyxiation, which dates back to the sixties with the Mallory Memorandum, and military aggression. This idea is effectively captured in a recent statement by the President of the United States, in the initial part of his sentence, he mentioned that they had exerted all possible pressures on Cuba, he then acknowledged that Cuba is not a failed state, but rather a state that has had to withstand maximum pressure with significant resilience, this is not just any pressure, but the maximum economic pressure from the world's leading power. A power, moreover that is founded on an imperial base with a hegemonic aim of domination.

On the other hand, there is military aggression, as the latter part of the sentence indicates that the only option left was to seize the location and destroy it, occupy it, and demolish it.

I think that in our 67 years of Revolutionary history, with the onset of the blockade, we’ve seen the persistent idea and intent of economic asphyxiation. I often mention that every generation of Cubans born since the early years of the Revolution, including our children and grandchildren, have lived under the blockade. We have all experienced life under economic constraints, constantly facing shortages and complex challenges. We have always had to navigate through difficulties and pressures that are not imposed on anyone else in the world, especially not for such an extended period. And these are some examples of the things we have experienced.

I believe that this idea of collapse is rooted in the imperial mindset and philosophy, but it does not exist in the mentality of Cubans. In our perspective on collapse, there is the concept of resistance, specifically creative resistance, which involves defending the ideas and convictions we hold dear, and maintaining a belief in our eventual victory.

I am not an idealist; I understand that we will face challenging times, as we have in the past, that these times are particularly difficult, but we will overcome them together through creative resistance, effort, and the talent of all Cubans, the majority of Cubans.

The relationship with Venezuela cannot be classified as a relationship of dependence.

Many attempt to view it as a dependent relationship between two countries, thereby limiting it to merely an exchange of goods and services, however, this does not reflect the true nature of the relationship we have experienced with the Bolivarian Revolution.

Since Chávez initiated the Bolivarian Revolution, a comprehensive relationship of cooperation and collaboration was established, grounded in principles of solidarity, integration, and complementarity. This relationship focused on how two friendly, brotherly nations could leverage each other's strengths through integration and complementarity. Consequently, the Comprehensive Collaboration Agreement between Cuba and Venezuela was created over 25 years ago.

Why is it integral? Because it encompasses numerous areas, including energy, food sovereignty, education, higher education, literacy, cadre training, and human resources development. It also addresses issues related to industry, mining, telecommunications, cultural exchange, and political exchange. This has extended beyond the relations between Cuba and Venezuela.

In that relationship and agreement, keep in mind that four years later, ALBA-TCP emerged, extending the ideas of that relationship to a group of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Subsequently, ALBA-TCP also backed Petrocaribe, a series of projects centered on energy, with an emphasis on social aspects, social justice, equity, opportunities, and the benefit and development of the peoples, not just in Venezuela and Cuba, but throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

The idea of integration is embodied here, the same integration envisioned by Martí and Bolívar, and defended by Fidel and Chávez, to which we are all dedicated. Thousands of Cubans have participated in missions carried out under this agreement and collaboration.

I have previously mentioned, and I genuinely feel this way, that no regional integration bloc has achieved the social successes in such a short period as ALBA-TCP, which emerged from the strong relationship between Cuba and Venezuela.

Keep in mind that there is something deeply transcendental, I would describe it as very heartfelt, which was the Miracle Mission, this initiative restored vision to over 3.5 million Latin Americans who had lost it due to treatable diseases, and the approach was not commercial or wealth-focused, but rather centered on social justice and equity.

Using the Cuban literacy method "Yes I Can," four countries successfully eradicated illiteracy and declared themselves free from it, within this context of integration. You might say, "Well, that's a social achievement everyone strives for." Yes, but it hasn't been accomplished globally yet.

Notice that in Latin America and the Caribbean, since Cuba declared itself the first illiteracy-free territory in Latin America and the Caribbean, how many years passed, how many decades passed before four other countries could achieve it? They succeeded by embracing the idea of complementarity and integration within a network of relationships that were not rooted in selfishness, but rather on principles that are more humanistic and centered on ensuring no one is left behind.

Certainly, economic and commercial relationships were established here, along with significant collaborative projects. One of these projects, particularly in the energy sector for providing medical services, fulfilled a significant portion of the fuel requirements—though not entirely, it covered an important part, especially in recent times. Previously, it met all of our country's fuel needs, but that is no longer the case. Venezuela has faced sanctions and coercive measures, which have impacted this exchange significantly, preventing it from reaching the levels it once did.

The situation has become significantly impacted since the onset of the energy blockade, specifically the naval blockade of Venezuela. This blockade has stopped Venezuelan ships or ships from other countries carrying Venezuelan fuel from reaching Cuba. The situation has worsened with the recent Executive Order from the U.S. Government, which uses the threat of tariffs to manipulate countries supplying oil. This pretext has effectively transformed it into an energy blockade against our country.

The future of Venezuela's relations depends on how we can shape that future from the current situation, where Venezuela has been attacked, and its President and his wife have been unlawfully detained and imprisoned in the United States.

In terms of collaboration, we do not impose collaboration. We give collaboration, we share collaboration, we share solidarity when governments, when peoples or nations ask us to. And under that concept we have maintained over these years that collaboration with Venezuela.

Everyone is familiar with Martí's statement regarding his dedication to Venezuela, a sentiment we have all embraced. Consequently, we also hold commitments and strong emotions towards that Bolivarian land. As long as the Venezuelan government supports and advocates for collaboration, Cuba will remain ready to cooperate.

Another question concerns support. I believe there has been prompt support on an international scale. Various opinions have been expressed by spokespeople, foreign ministries, international leaders, and groups of countries.

I had a report here, a chronology since February 1 of how many signs of support have been received: Morena Movement; Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who has recently spoken on several occasions; the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations; Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, of Palestinian descent and representing Michigan; Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun; the Venezuelan Government; the Belgian Minister of Mobility, Climate, and Environmental Transition, who addressed the issue in the country's House of Representatives; MEPs Irene Montero from Spain and Marc Botenga from Belgium; the Secretary-General of South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress; President Claudia Sheinbaum, who frequently addresses questions about Mexico's stance and support for Cuba in her morning speeches; the Mexican Foreign Ministry; the Chinese Embassy in Washington; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov; Communist Party of the Russian Federation leader Zyuganov; the Russian Ambassador to Venezuela; the Cuba-Philippines Friendship Association; Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks from New York; President Putin.

Today we learned of a statement by the Non-Aligned Movement and another statement by the States members of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations.

Today, there were telephone conversations between the President and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping and the President of the Russian Federation, Putin. They both expressed their support and commitment to continue collaborating and cooperating with Venezuela and Cuba. This summarizes the support and statements made in general terms.

Behind those speeches, there are additional matters that we cannot openly discuss today, as the enemy seeks to block any opportunities or paths for Cuba. However, I assure you with full responsibility that Cuba is not isolated. At this moment, numerous people, governments, countries, institutions, and companies are eager to collaborate with Cuba and have already provided us with methods, mechanisms, and intentions on how we can proceed.

The energy and financial persecution, along with the intensification of these coercive measures, necessitates a very strong, creative, and intelligent effort to overcome all these obstacles. However, there is a courageous group of institutions, people, and governments worldwide willing to provide support. That is what we can share and explain today for obvious reasons.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC