Valdés and Dussey met at the Palace of the Revolution, where the former praised the latter’s visit to Havana and his attendance at the International Conference Cuba 2024: Decade of Afro-descendants.

The Cuban Vice Presidente briefed his guest on the significance of the forum’s contents, which have been a priority in Cuba since 1959 and are part today of a nationwide program under the president’s office.

Since 1959 – when the Revolution came to power -, Valdés emphasized, its historic leader, Fidel Castro, considered a priority fostering ties with the so-called “dark continent”, in view of the heavy African influence on the island’s traditions and culture.

The Cuban Vice President hailed the state of bilateral relations, which go back 45 years in time, and the great current potential to move forwards with exchanges in sectors such as agriculture, health, biotechnology and renewable energy.

Valdés went on to update Dussey on the Cuban economic situation, which in recent years has deteriorated under the intensificed blockade policy imposed by the United States government, the TV report added.

He expressed Cuban gratitude to Togo for supporting Cuba at the United Nations, and demanding an end to the US siege.

For his part, the African diplomat noted there is a ample representation of his country’s media in his current entourage, who are intent on learning first-hand about the national reality and “show that Cuba is alive and standing,” and are ready to refute the sleazy approachs by Western media regarding Cuba.

He also stressed that the people of the island “are brave and keep on resisting such pressures.”

Dussey conveyed greetings from the Togolese president, Faure Gnassingbé, with whom Valdés met during a stopover in November 2023, on his trip to Guinea Bissau.

The African leader also met this morning with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez, who acknowledged that nation’s support for Cuba’s fight against the hostility of the United States government.

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