Gurjeet Singh and Cynthia Thanda

The Embassy of Cuba in Gaborone hosted a meet-and-greet session on 11 May 2026, led by His Excellency Antonio Luis Pubillones Izaguirre, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba and Special Representative to SADC.

The gathering reaffirmed the enduring friendship between Cuba and Botswana, which has spanned nearly five decades.

In his remarks, Ambassador Pubillones Izaguirre highlighted the 49 years of cordial bilateral relations since the establishment of the Cuban Embassy in Botswana on 9 December 1977.

He announced that next year will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, with commemorative activities planned to celebrate the milestone.

“Revolution is unity, it is independence, it is fighting for our dreams of justice for Cuba and for the world,” he said, quoting Fidel Castro Ruz to underscore Cuba’s commitment to solidarity and justice.

The envoy expressed his determination to elevate relations between the two nations, pledging to engage with government ministers, civil society, and other stakeholders to identify new areas of cooperation.

He also drew attention to Cuba’s ongoing struggle against what he described as one of the most severe economic blockades in modern history.

He noted that the U.S. embargo, intensified by an executive order signed on 1 May 2026, has left Cubans enduring daily power cuts of up to 20 hours.

“Cuba is a small, peaceful nation that has never intervened in U.S. internal affairs,” he emphasised, calling the blockade a violation of international law.

Since he arrived in Botswana, Ambassador Pubillones Izaguirre has actively demonstrated Cuba’s commitment to partnership.

On 24 April 2026, he received a courtesy visit from Tshepo Gopolang Sitale, President of the Botswana Olympic Committee, reflecting Cuba’s longstanding support for Botswana’s athletic development.

Cuban coaches have played a vital role in strengthening local sporting programmes, while Cuban health professionals and scholarships for Batswana students have further cemented ties between the two countries.

The scholarship programme, which began in 1961, continues to offer opportunities for young Batswana to study in Cuba.

The ambassador also used the occasion to reflect on Cuba’s historical journey, from the independence struggle launched in 1868 by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, through the 1895 uprising led by José Martí, to the eventual triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959.

Martí, revered as Cuba’s national hero, was described as a guiding light for Fidel Castro and the revolutionary generation.

As Botswana and Cuba approach the 50-year mark of their diplomatic relationship, the ambassador’s message was clear: the partnership is not only rooted in history but also in a shared vision for justice, solidarity, and mutual development.