Cuba’s Raúl Castro arrives in Namibia

WINDHOEK РCuban president Ra̼l Modesto Castro Ruz, also known as President of the Cuban Council of State and the President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, arrived in Namibia yesterday afternoon.

The Cuban leader, who is in the country for the first time, was received by his counterpart President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Cabinet Minsters when he touched down at Hosea Kutako International Airport at 15h00.Dressed in a grey suit, white shirt and grey tie with black stripes, Castro was welcomed by different cultural groups from around the country who were performing as he stepped down from the Cuban aircraft, while Pohamba waited for him at the bottom of the stairs.He was then led by Pohamba to the dais, where the two presidents stood as the Cuban national anthem was played, followed by the Namibian national anthem.After the national anthems were played, the Cuban leader inspected the guard of honour, whereafter he was taken by Pohamba along the red carpet to meet Cabinet ministers as well as Cuban nationals living in Namibia.Many Namibians who studied in Cuba during the liberation struggle as well as Cuban nationals living in Namibia were at the airport an hour before Castro was to touch down, singing Cuban songs of praise.Castro is accompanied by his Vice-President of Council of Ministers, Ricardo Ruiz; Foreign Affairs Minister Rodriguez Parilla; Informatics and Communications Minister Ramiro Menendez; Deputy Minister of the Armed Forces Leopoldo Frias, as well as close to 100 other officials.Approximately 4000 Namibians studied in Cuba between 1978 and Independence in 1990.After independence, close to 600 Namibians also studied in Cuba. At the moment, there are close to 100 young Namibians in Cuba undergoing military training.During his visit, the Cuban president will pay a courtesy call on the Founding President, Dr Sam Nujoma this morning, and then visit Heroes’ Acre, where he will lay a wreath.Castro and his delegation will depart today. – Nampa