Havana. – The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated in Havana that he traveled to the island to “call on humanity for solidarity with Cuba” and to propose to the U.S. “that a dialogue between civilizations be established,” official media reported this Saturday.
“I came to call humanity to solidarity with Cuba, so that there is no invasion here, nor a missile launch, and to propose as an alternative, even to the current United States Government, to Mr. Rubio and to Trump, that a dialogue be established between civilizations that must be equal while being different,” declared Petro to Cuban media after the meeting with his counterpart, Miguel Díaz-Canel.
The Colombian president arrived in Havana the day before on his last official trip as a show of support for “Cuba, under attack” by the U.S., and in a clear distancing from his successor, the far-right Abelardo de la Espriella, who recently announced that he will break relations with the island and close that country’s embassy in Havana.
Petro’s visit to Cuba
After the meeting this Friday with Díaz-Canel, Petro called for “a dialogue of civilizations to be built” and for “the danger looming over Cuba to be transformed, instead of danger, into a stage for that dialogue.”
In this regard, he pointed out that this dialogue “could well be the first bridge of unity for humanity amidst diversity for life and for freedom” and that “in the American case,” it could take place “between the state of Florida and the island, which are so close and yet so far.”
He also highlighted that his message “is not only to humanity, but to the government of the United States itself,” which he asked to “dialogue” also about “what is happening in the Middle East,” which he considered “could be the prelude to a global holocaust, of generalized barbarism.”
For his part, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated on social media that it was “very pleasant to receive the esteemed president of Colombia” and thanked Petro for his “profound solidarity and firm support” for the island, “in the face of threats of aggression, the energy siege, and the intensification of the U.S. economic blockade.”
“We reiterate our Government’s unwavering commitment to peace in Colombia,” asserted the Cuban leader.
Petro’s closeness to the island
Petro had visited the island on two other occasions during his term: the first time was in June 2023, for the closing of a cycle of peace negotiations between the Colombian Government and the National Liberation Army; and then he did so in September of that same year to participate in the G77 and China Summit.
According to a note released by the Cuban Foreign Ministry, Petro’s agenda concludes this Saturday, and his arrival in Havana is in response to an invitation extended by Díaz-Canel.
Petro has criticized the oil blockade and the latest sanctions by President Donald Trump’s Administration against Cuba; furthermore, his Government sent several shipments of humanitarian aid to try to alleviate the serious crisis in which the Caribbean country is mired.
