The highest decoration awarded by the Cuban State to nationals and foreigners, the José Martí Order, was presented yesterday by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, to the President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E. Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, who is on an official visit to the island.
Mbumba thanked the distinction "for the honor given to me by the people of Cuba, to be one of the participants of this torch of the Revolution," he emphasized.
The president, who is the fourth Namibian head of state to receive this Order, recalled that the gesture "symbolizes the strong and lasting friendship" between the peoples and governments of both nations.
The largest of the Antilles and the African country "are united by a common history and a spirit of solidarity, principles of justice and freedom that was demonstrated in the joint struggle against colonialism and apartheid, which allow Namibia to enjoy the freedom and peace that we have at this time," he said.
The Cuban Head of State said, in the official conversations that followed the reception, that he was welcoming "a brother, a great friend of Cuba", and added that the visit will mark a milestone in the strengthening, expansion and consolidation of bilateral ties, as reported by the Presidency's account on X.
"Namibia will always be able to count on Cuba," Diaz-Canel told his counterpart.
The meeting was sealed with the signing of a memorandum of understanding to establish the Intergovernmental Commission between the two countries, which will contribute to raise the level of economic, trade and cooperation relations, in addition to strengthening political and friendship ties.
The visit to the Caribbean island was described by Mbumba as "the highest honor I have ever received in my life", for which he thanked "the warm welcome".
In the morning, the Namibian president paid honors with a floral offering at the monument to the National Hero, José Martí, in the Revolution Square.
