That is perhaps the word that best describes the meeting that the member of the Political Bureau and vice president of the Republic of Cuba, Salvador Valdés Mesa, held this Friday afternoon with a group of friends of unity, many of them converted to professionals thanks to his studies in Cuba.
Almost all sectors of Guinea Bissau currently have graduates of the Greater Antilles, and although most of them do not return to the Island after their training there, they have the dream of doing so one day.
“Cuba stole my youth from me and I don’t regret it; “I think I know more about Cuba than Guinea,” one of them was heard saying a few minutes after the dialogue began.
One after the other, the stories begin to follow those years on the Caribbean island, how they applied the knowledge they acquired in their country, or how much they did to support this African land “their other home ,” while they think of Cuba.
Also with them are the Cubans Oscar Oramas Olivas, who became the ambassador of many African countries; Ana Morales, founder of the Raúl Díaz Argüelles Faculty of Medicine, and Commander Víctor Dreke Cruz, all have a wonderful story that inextricably unites them on this continent.
Dreke, from the emotions of the afternoon, and with so many stories to share, remembers those first Cuban doctors who arrived in Guinea Bissau; the years of struggle for African independence, and the history built by Cuba and the countries of this continent, because it is unforgivable, he said, to forget our history.
The Vice President of the Republic of Cuba later spoke about Fidel, that giant, he emphasized, who “did not hesitate for a second to give all the necessary help to the people of Africa in their struggle to achieve the longed-for freedom.”
“We don’t feel like we are visiting Guinea Bissau, but like coming home, because of the love and hospitality received and because of the historical heritage we share,” he said.
The friendship you claim for Cuba – he considered – is “a sincere feeling, born from a deep sense of duty and justice, because it seems that Cuba itself fights for Africa without looking for anything apart from the satisfaction of the duty fulfilled, you support our cause without expecting any material compensation.”
To the Cubans living in this country, a representation that is also present, Valdés Mesa thanked them for “trusting the patriotic spirit and committed spirit of Cubans and descendants of Cubans living in many countries. We have a duty to recognize, thank and honor, especially the thousands of compatriots who here not only support, but also fight, each in their own way, to end the economic blockade.
His last words were also his thanks to everyone, for what they have done, he said, so that “Cuba can achieve its goals of building a better future.”
