After an enigmatic initial silence, Miguel Díaz-Canel and Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla finally spoke out about the fall of the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime this Sunday, a family that had remained in power for over 50 years in the Arab nation.
"I spoke today with our ambassador in the Arab Republic of Syria. We are concerned about the events taking place in this nation. We call for the preservation of Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, as well as the safety of the diplomatic missions located there," wrote Díaz-Canel on X.
A couple of hours later, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla shared a brief statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) of Cuba regarding the situation in Syria on his social media.
In the statement, MINREX expressed that it has been following "with great concern the rapid events that have transpired in the Syrian Arab Republic, which led to the fall of Bashar Al Assad's government by opposing armed groups."
He reiterated the "strong call to preserve the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Syria, as well as to respect the integrity and security of the diplomatic missions based in that Arab nation."
The MINREX concluded by stating that the diplomatic personnel in the Arab nation "are currently safe, adhering to the established plans for such contingencies, with great discipline, unity, and commitment."
In the comments section of the posts by Díaz-Canel and Bruno Parrilla on X, they expressed their understanding of the Cuban government's "concern" following the events affecting one of the longest-standing dictatorships in the world.
"When you see your neighbor's beard burning... You won't find a place to hide on the day this community rises up to reclaim the country that you and those who put you in power stole," wrote the internet user known as "Liborio en Cuba."
"Miguel, given the terrible images coming out of Syria, you should be more careful when choosing your friends." "Of course you should be worried if a dictator is falling... Do you feel identified?" "Worry about Cuba and how you’re going to end up; it won't be good." "You're concerned about the example this might set for the people of Cuba; dictatorships are NOT eternal, tick tock, tick tock..." "There's no eternal dictatorship. Cuba will return to democracy soon," wrote other users on social media.
"Your days are numbered; I imagine you’re sweating and scared. Another ally is going down, and Maduro is about to fall, with you next in line. I would start gathering the material possessions you’ve taken from the Cuban nation," declared another Cuban woman.
There were also those who questioned Díaz-Canel about whether he ever called for the preservation of Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.
Delayed reaction after initial silence.
The lack of an initial response from the Cuban regime following the fall of the dictatorship in Syria caught the attention of analysts and opponents, considering that Assad had been a close ally for several decades.
In 1973, Cuba sent a tank brigade to the war against Israel, which was led by then Syrian dictator Hafez al-Assad, the father of the deposed president Bashar al-Assad.
For decades, Fidel Castro referred to the relationship between the two countries as a "solid friendship," asserting that Syria supported Havana's political positions.
In 2010, Bashar al-Assad made an official visit to Cuba and even met with Raúl Castro. According to reports from the official Cuban press at the time, the visit reaffirmed "the deep and unbreakable bonds of friendship" between the two governments.
This connection continued to be evident on the international stage in March 2021, when Cuba voted against the resolution titled “Situation of human rights in the Arab Republic of Syria,” which was discussed in the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The initiative, presented by several nations, strongly condemned the violations and abuses of human rights in Syria, as well as the crimes against humanity and war crimes attributed to the al-Assad regime.
On December 4, the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that he had spoken by phone with Bassam Sabbagh, the Syrian Foreign Minister, in support of the country against attacks by terrorist groups in various cities and mentioned the "need to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that sister nation."
Frequently asked questions about the Cuban government's reaction to the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Why did the Cuban government react lukewarmly to the fall of Bashar al-Assad?
The Cuban government initially remained silent because Bashar al-Assad was a close ally, and his downfall represents a significant blow for Cuba. This silence may be a strategy to recalibrate its diplomatic relationships and avoid direct confrontation during a period of political uncertainty.
What has been the historical relationship between Cuba and Syria?
Cuba and Syria have maintained a strong diplomatic relationship for decades. In 1973, Cuba supported Syria by sending troops during the war against Israel. This relationship was further strengthened through official visits and mutual support in international forums, such as when Cuba voted against resolutions condemning human rights violations in Syria.
What implications does Assad's fall have for Cuba?
The fall of Assad represents a significant diplomatic setback for Cuba, which loses a crucial ally in its foreign policy. This could intensify the international isolation of the Cuban regime and affect its ability to maintain influence on the global stage. Domestically, the silence of the Cuban government may be interpreted as an attempt to avoid further criticism of its own authoritarian rule.
How does the overthrow of Assad affect Cuba's relations with other international allies?
The fall of Assad could complicate Cuba's relationships with its international allies, such as Russia and Iran, who also supported the Syrian regime. These countries see their influence in the Middle East at risk, which may impact their strategic alliances. For Cuba, losing an ally like Syria poses a challenge in redefining its foreign policies and international alliances.
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