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The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel congratulated Russian President Vladímir Putin this Tuesday on the occasion of his 73rd birthday, in a message shared on his official social media accounts.
My sincerest congratulations on your birthday to the esteemed President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. From Cuba, we wish you good health and personal happiness, so that you may continue to successfully lead that brotherly country, wrote Díaz-Canel on his Facebook account and on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
The message sparked strong mixed reactions among Cuban users, many of whom questioned the closeness of Havana to the Kremlin and openly criticized the leader for his remarks towards a figure identified for his role in the invasion of Ukraine.
In the comments on the Facebook post, some users expressed support, but the majority reacted with harsh criticism and mockery.
Congratulating a killer. You expose yourself and show what you are, wrote an online user, also using the hashtag #DíazCanelSingao.
GOD CREATES THEM AND THE DEVIL BRINGS THEM TOGETHER, commented Adria Bello, referring to the relationship between the two leaders.
How many hectares of land have you already given to Russia? How many tons of shrimp and lobster have you sent to settle your eternal debt? How many Cubans have you sent for its war campaign in Ukraine?,” questioned another.
This is called diplomatic guataquería, commented an internet user.
Díaz-Canel has visited Russia several times, the most recent being in March of this year, as part of strengthening bilateral relations and seeking economic support amidst the Cuban crisis.
He also maintained meetings with Putin in 2022 and 2018, reaffirming the "strategic friendship" between both governments.
Putin, for his part, has publicly congratulated Díaz-Canel on several occasions, such as his reelection in 2023 or anniversaries of January 1st, highlighting the historical ties between Havana and Moscow.
The close alliance with Russia has been criticized by segments of Cuban civil society that oppose Havana's alignment with the Kremlin, especially since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in 2022.
Vladimir Putin turns 73 years old amid his controversial fifth term and with a war still ongoing against Ukraine.
Despite Western sanctions and international scrutiny, the Russian president has maintained close relations with allied governments, including Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea, and Iran.
Díaz-Canel's congratulations add to other similar messages published in recent years, reflecting the political support of the Cuban regime for one of its main geopolitical allies.
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