Vietnam and Cuba, united by principles

Cuba has always been known for recognizing its true friends, and with the great wealth of humanism, solidarity and revolutionary optimism that characterizes it, it keeps with pride the memories of everyone who has extended a hand in support, and defends as brothers who share their ideals of independence and mutual cooperation.

Vietnam is one of those towns that we Cubans admire and love because of the close ties of friendship, first and most strongly, by the historical leader Fidel Castro, who in September 1973, then as Cuban prime minister, became the first and the only statesman who crossed Parallel 17 during the war and was in Quang Tri, still under the threat of the American bombing.

Not for pleasure today we respect a national duel, our flag is hoisted at half-mast in public buildings and military institutions, and there are no shows or festive activities.

We do that when we lose a great friend, especially if it is a leader who, until shortly before his death, fulfilled his responsibilities with brilliance and a high sense of duty.

The death of the Vietnamese head of State, Tran Dai Quang, has generated expressions of solidarity among the locals, who express their gratitude and pride because there, on the other side of the world, they paid tribute to our Commander in Chief and perpetuated the tribute with that symbol that is today the recently inaugurated Fidel Castro square, in remembrance to those who felt a huge admiration and affection for that Asian people and a great respect for President Ho Chi Minh, because in addition to bilateral ties, historical relations unite us.

Vietnam was another of the countries destroyed by the aggression of the United States, but today it is one of the most prosperous nations of Southeast Asia, thanks to the intelligence and industriousness of its people, led by its Communist Party. So many coincidences! Even what seems to distance us further also unites us: geography and time zones.

As a medical student told me: "It is as if while they sleep we take care of them and when the sun falls here there dawns in another day of struggle and love". Our peoples are united by principles, and that there is no culture that differentiates it.