National Day Message by H. E. Mrs. Caridad Yamira Cueto Milián, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in the Republic of Bulgaria

Dear friends of Cuba in Bulgaria,

January 1 marks the National Day of Cuba, which is known also as the Day of the Triumph of the Cuban Revolution of 1959. On that day, Cuba proclaimed its total independence after more than one hundred years of struggle against occupation and foreign domination.

Sixty-two years have passed. In this historical cycle, the ability of the Cuban people and its leaders to raise the banners of freedom, independence, sovereignty, unity and integration of Latin America, democracy, socialism and solidarity has been fully measured.

Cuba lives! And the key to our victory has been and continues to be the unity of the Cuban people. Unity is our main conquest and bulwark. And together with unity, Cuba reaffirms the will to continue strengthening ties with the Cubannationals abroad.

In the New Year 2021, due to the epidemiological situation generated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Cuban people have celebrated theVictory Day in the family, with Cuban flags on the doors and the windows of our houses.

2020 was a tough and challenging year. Cuba faced exceptional challenges in its economy and any adjective would be insufficient to describe the atrocious combination of the double pandemic suffered by the Cuban people: the reinforced blockade imposed by the United States and the Covid-19 pandemic.

But even in this adverse scenario, investments were made in the country's main economic and social development programs. 29 Foreign Investment projects were executed, the Economic-Social Strategy and the National Plan for Economic and Social Development until 2030 were approved, and a Monetary Reform entered into force on January 1, 2021.

No Cuban has been left helpless in the midst of the pandemic. Cuba has developed 189 national innovation and research projects to deal with Covid-19, created the first prototype of a Cuban lung ventilator for assisted breathing, launched more than 30 products from the Cuban Biotechnology Industry for the treatment of Covid -19, and 4 Cuban vaccine candidates are in the clinical trial phase.

Cuba continued developing its international relations in defense of peace, advocating for the protection and promotion of human rights for all, including the right to life and health, favoring the protection of the environment, supporting the promotion of free trade, calling for the unity and integration of Latin America.

On October 14, 2020, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Bulgaria. In the spirit of traditionally friendly relations between our peoples and nations, based on mutual respect, we continue to strengthen the political dialogue between our two countries, reinforcing interaction in international organizations and forums, deepening bilateral trade and economic relations, energizing educational and cultural ties, and promoting the rich cultural heritage of our two countries.

The Cuban Embassy in Sofia sends a grateful hug to the Cuban people; a people that is an example of humanism and solidarity.

We send also special Greetings to the more than 35 thousand Cuban health professionals who, in times of the Covid-19 pandemic, offer their solidarity help in more than 50 nations of the world.

Our Greetings also extend to the Cuban residents in Bulgaria and to their families, as well as to all friends of Cuba in this country and to the oficial Bulgarian authorities.

Happy and healthy 2021 to all!

Thank you.

The photo is provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Bulgaria. On it: H. E. Mrs. Caridad Yamira Cueto Milián, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in the Republic of Bulgaria