The event was attended by leaders of agencies, organisations, and associations, representatives of foreign embassies in Viet Nam, and a large number of people from both Viet Nam and Cuba.
Speaking at the event, Le Quoc Minh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communication, Education and Mass Mobilisation, and President of the Viet Nam Journalists’ Association, emphasised that 72 years have passed since the historic attack on Moncada Barracks took place in the early morning on July 26, 1953, marking the beginning of the Cuban revolution led by Leader Fidel Castro. History has shown that this was a turning point in the history of the Caribbean island nation, creating great momentum for the Cuban revolution to move towards victory.
Fidel Castro once said: “Moncada was the small engine that started the larger engine of the Cuban revolution. Without Moncada, there would have been no Granma landing in 1956, no guerrilla war in the Sierra Maestra, and no victory of the Cuban revolution on January 1, 1959."
According to Minh, the Moncada attacks also served as a powerful source of inspiration for national liberation movements in Latin America, awakening the entire region after centuries of poverty and backwardness under colonialism and neo-colonialism, and encouraging nations to rise up and fight for the right to self-determination and to choose their own path of development
After the revolution’s victory in 1959, the Cuban people continued their revolutionary path, building socialism and bringing the country into a period of independence, freedom, and development. Cuba’s journey of development and overcoming hardships to build a new society has always received strong support and companionship from progressive, peace-loving nations around the world, including brotherly Viet Nam.
Minh noted that for the past 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Viet Nam has always attached importance to consolidating, preserving, and promoting the special friendship between the two countries.
Bilateral cooperation in journalism has recorded many notable achievements. Nhan Dan Newspaper has actively implemented its cooperation plan with Granma, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba. The Viet Nam Journalists’ Association and the Cuban Journalists’ Union also organise frequent exchanges and delegation exchanges, serving as bridges to foster ties with journalism organisations in Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Recalling key milestones in Cuba’s revolutionary process, Nguyen Viet Thao, Permanent Vice President of the Viet Nam–Cuba Friendship Association, stressed that despite challenging circumstances, Cuba has remained resilient on the front line against imperialism, safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, socialism, and the people's lives. Cuba’s heroic struggle today is a creative resistance war, fighting while promoting production and updating the socio-economic model and economic integration.
Expressing gratitude for the support of the Vietnamese people, Joy Puentes Saldise, Charge d'affaires of the Cuban Embassy in Viet Nam, affirmed that for the noble goal as President Ho Chi Minh said: "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom." The Cuban people have fought tirelessly throughout the past years. Looking back on the Moncada attack after more than seven decades, Puentes Saldise noted its parallels with the heroic victories of the Vietnamese people in the face of powerful enemies, always believing firmly in ultimate triumph.
He highlighted that Cuba continues to face an economic, trade, and financial embargo. Recently, the tightening of these sanctions continues to be the main axis of the US Government’s policy towards Cuba, severely affecting its economy and other sectors.
Reaffirming that Cuba has always received invaluable support from Viet Nam, the Cuban diplomat stressed that the relationship between Cuba and Viet Nam is a true symbol and model for the solidarity and brotherhood bilateral relationship that should be widely promoted in today’s world. The Cuban people are deeply grateful for the consistent support from the Vietnamese Party, State, and people, and will forever cherish the legacy of eternal friendship founded by Leader Fidel Castro and President Ho Chi Minh.
During the meeting, participants reviewed important milestones of Cuba’s revolution, reaffirmed solidarity with the Cuban people and nation, and expressed confidence that, with its indomitable spirit and the support of progressive, peace-loving nations worldwide, Cuba will continue to overcome all challenges and move forward in protecting and building the nation.
