As Cuba grapples with a severe crisis, Lis Cuesta, the wife of Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, is once more accompanying her husband on a presidential trip, this time in Vietnam. Despite having no official government role, Cuesta joined the Cuban delegation that also plans to visit China and Laos. On Monday, she was seen exploring Hanoi with Ngô Phương Ly, the wife of the Vietnamese Communist Party's General Secretary, Tô Lâm, as reported by Vietnam's state media.
Cuesta and Ly, along with their husbands, enjoyed a water puppet show at the Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre and visited the Ngọc Sơn Temple. Images depict Cuesta learning the art of manipulating the water puppets. "Accompanying the two first ladies was a young girl of Vietnamese descent, born and raised in Cuba, with a Vietnamese father and a Cuban mother," the Vietnamese press noted.
Miguel Díaz-Canel and Lis Cuesta arrived in Vietnam on Saturday evening for an official visit, traveling in a chartered plane costing $11,000 per hour. The aircraft, an Airbus A330-200 with tail number EC-KOM from the Spanish airline Plus Ultra, was previously used by Díaz-Canel in 2023. In November 2023, the same plane facilitated his tour of the Middle East, and it also transported him to New York for the United Nations Assembly in September that year. Independent sources confirmed that flight PU943 departed from Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday and landed in Hanoi on Sunday at 8:38 AM after an 11-hour journey.
The Cuban regime's delegation was welcomed at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport by Nguyen Xuan Thang, a member of the Political Bureau, director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, and president of the Central Theoretical Council, along with other party, government, and friendship association officials. Although Cuesta is not listed on the official roster, she customarily accompanies her spouse on such trips.
On his initial day of visits, Díaz-Canel laid a floral tribute at a bust of José Martí in a Hanoi park and toured the National Museum of Military History, according to state media. This marks the beginning of an official tour of Cuba's Asian allies—Vietnam, China, and Laos. During his stay, Díaz-Canel is expected to meet with his counterparts to "enhance bilateral cooperation, implement existing agreements, and advance the joint construction of the Cuba-China Community of Shared Future," as per official information.
Amid Cuba's structural crisis, this tour is likely another appeal for assistance from Havana to its allies. It was revealed this week that a solidarity campaign in Vietnam quickly amassed a donation of $14 million for Cuba.
Key Aspects of Miguel Díaz-Canel's Visit to Vietnam
Why is Lis Cuesta in Vietnam with Miguel Díaz-Canel?
Lis Cuesta, although not holding an official government position, accompanies her husband, Miguel Díaz-Canel, on his presidential trips, including the current visit to Vietnam.
What activities did Lis Cuesta participate in while in Vietnam?
In Vietnam, Lis Cuesta attended a water puppet show at Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre and visited the Ngọc Sơn Temple alongside Ngô Phương Ly, the wife of the Vietnamese Communist Party's General Secretary.
How much does it cost to charter the plane used by Miguel Díaz-Canel?
The chartered Airbus A330-200 used by Miguel Díaz-Canel costs $11,000 per hour.
What is the purpose of Miguel Díaz-Canel's visit to Vietnam?
The visit aims to enhance bilateral cooperation, enforce existing agreements, and further the construction of the Cuba-China Community of Shared Future.