China pledges to continue providing “support and assistance” to Cuba “within its capabilities”

Shanghai.- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed his opposition to “interference by foreign forces” in Cuba and promised to “continue to offer support and assistance within its capabilities” during a meeting with his counterpart from the Caribbean country, Bruno Rodríguez. Wang received Rodríguez this Thursday in Beijing, to whom he conveyed Beijing’s willingness to “consolidate and expand” the relations of “friendship” between both countries and to work with other “like-minded nations” to “enhance solidarity in the ‘global south’ and maintain peace at regional and global levels”. “China firmly supports Cuba in protecting its national sovereignty and security, (…) and rejects any attempt to deprive the Cuban people of their right to survive and develop,” said the head of Chinese diplomacy, according to the statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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China’s Key Support for Cuba

According to Wang, in the face of the “complex and profound” changes in the Latin American situation and in the international environment in general, China and Cuba “have always maintained sincere mutual trust and have remained united.” The Chinese minister also spoke of the Cuban “spirit” of “facing up to power and not being afraid of difficulties.” For his part, according to the same statement, Rodríguez expressed his gratitude for Chinese support in the face of blockades and sanctions, and for assistance with economic and local development, emphasizing that Beijing and Havana “are brothers and comrades.” The Ministry revealed that Rodríguez also met with the ‘number 4’ of the Chinese political hierarchy, Wang Huning, who also promised Beijing’s ‘firm support’ for Cuba’s ‘just struggle’ against ‘foreign interference’. In his meeting with the person considered to be the main ideologue of President Xi Jinping, Rodríguez assured that Cuba wants to work with China to “protect equity and justice at the international level”.

Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Rodriguez’s visit to Beijing is part of a tour with which the Cuban government seeks the support of its traditional allies, including Russia and Vietnam, in the face of the energy blockade imposed by the United States, which has increased pressure against the island after capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

In this regard, China publicly urged Washington last week to “immediately end the blockade, sanctions, and any form of coercive measure against Cuba.”

At the end of January, Xi approved emergency aid to Cuba, including financial assistance of 80 million dollars and a donation of 60,000 tons of rice.

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This is the largest announced rice donation for Cuba, a country that in recent years has received multiple food shipments to alleviate the great scarcity of basic goods and high inflation. In 2024, China had already granted a donation of 100 million dollars to the island.