Cubans Deeply Moved by Support from the Vietnamese People, Says Ambassador

The fundraising campaign “65 Years of Vietnam–Cuba Solidarity,” launched on August 13 by the Vietnam Red Cross to support the Caribbean island, garnered participation from more than 1.7 million people in just six days, raising nearly 339 billion dongs, or approximately 13 million dollars.

On the occasion of this initiative, which will run for 65 days, Nguyen Khanh Chi, a reporter for Vietnam News of the Vietnam News Agency, spoke with Cuba’s ambassador to Vietnam, Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, to learn his views on the special place the Latin American nation holds in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.

Could you share your impressions of the Vietnam Red Cross initiative to raise funds in support of the Cuban people? What does it mean to you personally and to the Cuban people?

Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes: Exactly one week ago, we participated in the launch of this extraordinary initiative by the Vietnam Red Cross, with the support of the Fatherland Front and Vietnam’s social and mass organizations. It is a campaign to support the Cuban people on the 65th anniversary of friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, in the year celebrating our two peoples’ friendship.

We are pleasantly surprised by the immediate and massive participation of the Vietnamese people, their organizations, institutions, and the nation as a whole, which has embraced this important initiative and mobilized in an enthusiastic, genuine, and loving way to creatively and originally convey their best wishes to our people. For Cubans, it is profoundly moving to share this historic moment in Vietnam, in which an entire nation has mobilized from workplaces and schools to send a message of encouragement that has extraordinary human value and stirs the emotions of an entire people. For Cuba, Vietnam is a nation admired and beloved for the historic relationship that unites us.

Years ago, when Vietnam fought for national liberation and reunification, the Cuban people mobilized to express solidarity. This movement, led by Cuba’s historic leader, involved every labor and student collective. Its goal was for every Cuban to emulate the heroism of the Vietnamese people in their daily lives. As the Cuban people did, our undisputed leader Fidel Castro called on humanity to express solidarity with Vietnam.

It was the absolute priority of the world at the time. Cuba responded to that call, which moved the Vietnamese people, when Fidel Castro expressed at a massive gathering in the Plaza de la Revolución that Cuba, for Vietnam, was willing to give even its own blood.

As then, Cuba continues to stand with Vietnam, shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow, expressing its love for the Vietnamese people. Today, we have been reciprocated with this outpouring of love from the Vietnamese people, who in just hours achieved the goal set by organizers to contribute a significant amount of financial resources to help mitigate the devastating effects of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba. It is deeply moving to feel embraced and supported by the brotherly Vietnamese people.

Based on the initial results, how would you describe the general sentiment of the Vietnamese people toward the Cuban people?

Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes: We see the numbers continuously growing, both in terms of contributions, which now total nearly two million, and the financial resources collected by numerous members of society.

The originality and creativity with which so many groups and individuals, from the humblest parts of their hearts, have contributed to the Red Cross and ultimately to the Cuban people in these difficult times fills us with indescribable emotion. We have seen participation from children, young people, the elderly, workers, students, men, and women from all over Vietnam. Some contributed modest amounts, others according to their means.

None of these contributions is insignificant. What matters is not the totals, which are indeed remarkable and a source of pride for the Vietnamese people. What matters is the extraordinary spiritual, human, and solidarity message that this initiative conveys to the hearts of the Cuban people.

In difficult times, as Cuba faces the impact of the U.S. economic blockade, which causes human suffering and complicates daily life, this is a wave of popular encouragement that strengthens our resolve and gives us greater certainty in the eventual victory of our two peoples. For this, we are eternally grateful to our Vietnamese brothers.

Could you elaborate on the difficulties Cuba currently faces? What are the main priorities for helping the Cuban people overcome these challenges in the short term?

Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes: As the Vietnamese people know, Cuba has endured a harsh economic, commercial, and financial blockade for six decades, which today constitutes the greatest obstacle to our country’s economic and social development.

This blockade has been systematically condemned by the international community. However, instead of lifting it, the U.S. administration has intensified measures against the Cuban people. This has severely limited our access to financial resources.

The main effects of the blockade are first felt in the country’s energy deficit. Limited financing has made it extremely difficult to maintain and repair the national energy system, creating serious restrictions on energy generation and complicating economic and social life.

It also limits investment opportunities in Cuba, restricts access to foreign currency, and strongly affects the country’s ability to import food. Much of Cuba’s food is imported, and the lack of foreign currency directly impacts food consumption. Domestic food production is also restricted due to difficulties in obtaining inputs, fertilizers, and other necessary resources. Additionally, national production of medicines and access to materials for the healthcare system has been seriously affected.

Cuba has long provided global solidarity by training thousands of doctors, especially from developing countries, and sending medical personnel abroad. These services have also come under U.S. scrutiny, negatively impacting health services and revenue for addressing domestic needs.

In short, Cuba is experiencing a true economic war. No bombs fall, but the impact on daily life is severe, which makes the Vietnamese people’s solidarity even more meaningful.

Beyond financial resources, how else can Vietnam and the international community support Cuba?

Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes: Cuba has historically received immense solidarity. Since 1992, a resolution has been presented at the United Nations General Assembly demanding that the U.S. government lift its economic, commercial, and financial blockade of Cuba.

The international community, overwhelmingly except for one or two countries, including the United States, has supported this demand for more than three decades. Other international organizations, countries, personalities, and institutions have also called for lifting the blockade. Cuba has additionally received significant aid and solidarity materials from around the world.

Many solidarity events have been organized to deliver essential resources to Cuba to mitigate the blockade’s effects. Most importantly, the international community continues to demand decisively, completely, and permanently that the United States lift its illegal and unjust blockade. This international advocacy is the greatest contribution to justice and the ability of Cuba to develop independently and engage normally with the world.

Vietnam has maintained a constant presence in this international advocacy, and its people have consistently supported Cuba with dignity, firmness, and unwavering solidarity. Numerous initiatives from Vietnam have aimed to ensure Cuba can continue developing independently and sovereignly. The most important message from Vietnam, however, is that the deep friendship and solidarity of its people have remained unchanged for more than 60 years.

In these moments, as this solidarity becomes increasingly visible across Vietnam, we extend our heartfelt thanks and embrace to every member of the nation for sending this message of love to our people. Thank you, Vietnam!