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Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, former emir of Qatar and a key figure in the transformation of the small Gulf state into a diplomatic and economic powerhouse, passed away this Sunday at the age of 74, as confirmed by the Qatar News Agency (QNA), without specifying the cause of his death.
The news prompted a message of condolence from Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, who remembered the former president as a "distinguished statesman" and a "cherished friend of the Cuban people and the Commander in Chief," referencing the close relationship he had with Fidel Castro.
"With deep sorrow, we received the sad news of the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Father Emir of the State of Qatar, a prominent statesman who made a decisive contribution to the development of the modern and thriving State of Qatar," wrote Díaz-Canel in a thread published on the social media platform X.
The leader also conveyed the condolences of the Cuban regime to the current emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as well as to his family, the government, and the Qatari people.
"Cuba shares the sorrow of the friendly Qatari people and extends its heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, to his family, to the government, and to that brotherly people," he added.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz also joined in, highlighting the role played by the former emir in strengthening the ties between both countries.
"«We will always remember his contribution to the development of the friendship between both countries,» he also wrote on X."
For his part, Chancellor Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla also expressed his condolences through X and underscored the role of the former Qatari leader in bilateral relations.
The leader who transformed Qatar
Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, having seized power in a palace coup against his father. During his 18 years in office, he implemented significant economic reforms and positioned the country as a key player in international politics.
Under his leadership, the Al Jazeera network was established in 1996, the Qatar Investment Authority was created, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world, and the country secured the hosting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2022.
In June 2013, he surprised the region by voluntarily abdicating in favor of his son Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who was then 33 years old, a rare decision among the monarchies of the Gulf.
A close relationship with Cuba
Díaz-Canel's reference to the "Commander in Chief" alludes to the close personal relationship that the former emir maintained with Fidel Castro, one of the cornerstones of the ties between Havana and Doha.
Cuba and Qatar established diplomatic relations in 1989, and the Arab country became the first in the Gulf to open an embassy in Havana in 2001.
Bilateral cooperation has focused especially on the healthcare sector. Cuba manages the Dukhan Hospital with around 500 healthcare professionals, while during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Henry Reeve medical brigade treated over 270,000 patients in Qatari territory.
The ties between both governments were further strengthened in November 2023, when Díaz-Canel visited Qatar during a tour of the Middle East, where both parties promoted cooperation projects in areas such as health, tourism, and investments.
Following the announcement of the former emir's death, Qatar declared four days of national mourning in tribute to the man who shaped one of the most decisive periods in the contemporary history of the country.
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