President of Namibia visits Cuba
René A. Castaño Salazar
On September 28, during an official visit to Cuba,
the honorable Mr. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of
the Republic of Namibia, toured the National Zoo
accompanied by Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, member of
the Political Bureau and First Vice President of the
Councils of State and Ministers.
Miguel L. Abud Soto, director-general of the
National Zoo, received both dignitaries, offering
them a detailed explanation of the institution’s
characteristics and thanked Mr. Pohamba for the
African fauna donated to Cuba by his country.
According to Abud Soto, the donation of 144 examples
of 22 species of animal strengthened the links of
fraternity and cooperation between both countries,
increased knowledge of exotic animals through
exchanges with African experts, improved the
genetics of the animals already established on the
island and contributed to the exhibition of new
species.
“Cooperation with Cuba began before we achieved our
independence. We have a strong relationship.
Now that we have liberated our country we have to
promote economic development for the benefit of both
peoples. We know how the U.S. blockade affects Cuba
and that is why we have brought the issue before the
African Union, in order to further strengthen
relations between Africa and Cuba,” stated Pohamba.
“Namibia has publicly expressed its cooperation and
solidarity relations with Cuba in the UN. We did it
in the past, we are doing it now and we will repeat
it in the future.
“I am pleased to have collaborated with Cuba and I
am grateful to have had the opportunity to see how
the animals are reproducing here, something truly
extraordinary,” stated the President of Namibia
after touring areas of the zoo.
Mr. Hifikepunye Pohamba praised the health and
reproductive state of the donated species, nine of
which have already bred and highlighted what must be
done in the future if the animals continue to
reproduce at their current rate.
As a special addition, Director Randol Menéndez
presented the first episode of his documentary
series Hábitat Namibia. Menéndez, who
narrates the capture, quarantine and transportation
of the animals in operation Noah’s Arc II, also
announced the upcoming release of his feature-length
film on the subject.
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