A few days after commemorating the 50th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between this South American State and the largest of the Antilles, the foreign minister stressed that the claim for the end of that siege and Cuba’s support for Argentina’s sovereign right over the Malvinas Islands They constitute central elements of the existing links.
In an exclusive interview with Prensa Latina, Cafiero recognized the permanent accompaniment between two peoples that, beyond common projects, are united by friendship and respect.
Both nations began their diplomatic ties in 1909, but these were interrupted in 1962 due to a strong campaign and pressure exerted by the United States to try to isolate and put an end to the young Revolution that began in 1959, just 90 miles from its territory.
On May 28, 1973, under the mandate of the then president of this nation, Héctor Cámpora (1909-1980), ties were resumed.
He also highlighted the visits made to Argentina by the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro (1926-2016), and more recently by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who participated in 2019 in the inauguration of President Alberto Fernández and, in January of this year, at the VII Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac).
That actually strengthens the bonds. During the popular governments of Argentina, commercial exchange can be accelerated much more, but above all the diplomatic one in general, cultural and citizenship issues, he pointed out.
We advance in projects such as those developed in the agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors. There is much to continue exploring, he said.
Cafiero considered that the projections are positive, especially after Díaz-Canel’s last visit, during which the heads of state of both nations evaluated various signed agreements, including one for the exchange of agricultural technology.
On the other hand, he referred to Celac as an open mechanism and political dialogue of which the two countries are part. During that meeting, the Declaration of Buenos Aires was approved, which demanded the end of the blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba for more than six decades.
“This issue continues to mobilize us. It is not something we do now, but President Fernández expressed it on countless occasions, including at the IX Summit of the Americas, held in Los Angeles (2022). It is something that Argentina always advocates, ”he explained.
The blockade today is absolutely anachronistic and condemns the people of the island to restrictions. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Cuba was prevented from accessing medicines, treatments, and supplies to combat it. That is already a level of absurdity that no country in the world should allow. That is why we will continue to raise our voices so that it ends, he asserted.
Our islands were usurped 190 years ago. That must be resolved peacefully and diplomatically, as we and many States propose. Cuba was always an important voice that accompanied us, he affirmed.
We always question these types of measures because they are not the appropriate mechanisms to address differences, he pointed out.
On the other hand, he considered relevant the promotion of a regional initiative devised by Mexico and supported by Buenos Aires and Havana, among others, to combat inflation.
It is important to think about mechanisms that have to do not only with the exchange of products, but also with seeking solutions when building regional production chains that allow us to have quality items at low cost for our inhabitants, he pointed out.
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