Abelardo Moreno Fernández, a distinguished diplomat and former Deputy Foreign Minister of Cuba, passed away on Saturday, as confirmed by several officials and diplomats from the Cuban Foreign Ministry. With a career spanning over five decades at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), Moreno held the position of vice minister for nearly two decades. During this time, he was involved in numerous international negotiations and spearheaded crucial diplomatic processes for the Cuban state.
Carlos M. Pereira, the Director-General of Bilateral Affairs at MINREX, shared on X: "We have lost a mentor to generations... One of the greats among the greats, to whom we will eternally be grateful for his teachings and experiences. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends."
Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal remarked, "A mentor to generations of diplomats, he leaves us with the great legacy of his teachings and experiences, many of which are captured in his reference work on the art and science of International Negotiation and his monumental history of The Non-Aligned Movement."
The Center for International Policy Research (CIPI) described him as a "Cuban diplomat and negotiator," highlighting his significant role in the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) since its inception.
Beyond his roles as ambassador to the UN and Director of Multilateral Affairs at MINREX, Moreno remained active in recent years as an advisor to the Foreign Minister. In 2015, he led discussions between the governments of Cuba and the United States on the topic of mutual compensation. That same year, he headed a delegation to Brussels to initiate negotiations between the European Union and Cuba, aiming to normalize relations strained since 1996 by the so-called "common position."
Moreno was also the author of works such as "International Negotiation: The Art and Science of the Negotiation Process" (2021) and a book on the history of the NAM. Details regarding the cause of death or any official memorial services have yet to be disclosed. This is a developing story.
Legacy of Abelardo Moreno Fernández
What was Abelardo Moreno Fernández's role in Cuban diplomacy?
Abelardo Moreno Fernández served as the Deputy Foreign Minister of Cuba for nearly two decades. He was a key figure in numerous international negotiations and played a crucial role in the diplomatic processes of the Cuban state.
What are some notable works authored by Abelardo Moreno Fernández?
He authored "International Negotiation: The Art and Science of the Negotiation Process" (2021) and a history of the Non-Aligned Movement, among other significant works.