Giron Victory shows strong determination of Cuban people: ambassador

PANO - Though halfway around the world from each other, Vietnam and Cuba have always been united, helping each other in their causes of national liberation and construction. During the fierce time of war in Vietnam, Cuba sent Vietnam its wholehearted support. Cuban President Fidel Castro once said, “For Vietnam, we are ready to devote our blood.” Vietnam always remembers the valuable support and assistance of Cuba in the Vietnamese struggle for national independence, freedom, and reunification.

On the 55^th anniversary of the Giron (Bay of Pigs) Victory of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (April 19^th, 1961), the People’s Army Newspaper Online would like to present an interview with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Vietnam, Herminio López Díaz, about this important event.

Ambassador Herminio López Díaz

Reporter: Mr. Ambassador, please elaborate on the significance of the Giron Victory in 1961.

Ambassador Herminio López Díaz: Giron was an important victory of Cuba’s revolutionary movement, showing the strong determination of the Cuban people to become full owners of their destiny. Under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, we defeated the invaders. This was also the first defeat of US troops in Latin America.

Reporter: The Giron victory is a symbol of Cuban revolutionary spirit. In 1963, Cuban President Fidel Castro presented the flag of the Giron victory to Battalion 261 (now Battalion 4, Regiment 2, Division 330, Military Zone 9) of Vietnam. What are your thoughts about that special event?

Ambassador Herminio López Díaz: Since the early days of the Revolution, Cuba stood out as a nation leading the solidarity movement across the world. Cuba supported Vietnam during the country’s struggle for national independence. The 1963 victory of Vietnam’s Battalion 261 in Ap Bac brought us great encouragement and happiness, motivating us to reinforce our determination.

We wanted to tell the Vietnamese people that on the opposite side of the world from Vietnam, there were other people struggling until their last breaths for national independence, just like Vietnamese citizens. As you may know, President Fidel Castro was the first and only foreign head of state ever to visit liberated zones in Southern Vietnam back then. More than once, Castro stated that Cuba would always support the Vietnamese people and their national liberation movement. Such actions showed our special sentiments towards Vietnam.

Reporter: How has the relationship between Vietnam and Cuba been nurtured and developed over the past 55 years?

Ambassador Herminio López Díaz: Last year we celebrated the 55^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Cuba. During the war, Cuba supported Vietnam in various ways. After the Vietnamese victory in 1975, Cuba continued to help Vietnam in its cause of national reconstruction. At the same time, Cuba provided foreign language and architecture training to Vietnamese military officers.

Later, when Cuba suffered its worst economic crisis, Vietnam offered us preferential cooperation programs in various fields. The most remarkable Vietnamese assistance was investment in rice and agricultural production in Cuba. We strongly appreciate the traditional relationship between the two countries.

Cuba is now engaged in the process of economic transformation. We count on Vietnam, not only in the fields of trade and investment, but also regarding renovation and experience sharing. I’m sure that our countries’ mutual relations in the future will be expanded even further.

Reporter: As the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Vietnam, what will you do to boost solidarity and mutual support between the two countries in the future?

Ambassador Herminio López Díaz: It’s a great honor for me to be a Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam. The assignment also challenges me with great responsibility. I am here, not only to preserve, but also to promote our beautiful time-honoured relationship.

One of our priorities is to expand and deepen the ties in trade and economic cooperation. Lots of other things also need to be done, so that the younger generations of both countries can understand, remember, and care about our relationship.

These are the main goals I have set for myself during my term here in Vietnam.

Reporter: Thank you very much, Mr. Ambassador!