Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has called on his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, to enhance the bilateral relationship and bolster political dialogue "at all levels," although he did not outline specific goals or verifiable commitments beyond the usual rhetoric. Rodríguez shared on social media that the two foreign ministers reviewed the current state and future prospects of their bilateral relations, with Cuba expressing a desire to revitalize these ties through broader and more sustained political exchanges with the Spanish government.
The meeting took place amidst a busy multilateral agenda at the United Nations, featuring participation from 89 heads of state, five vice presidents, and 43 heads of government. The focus was on 1,642 bilateral meetings addressing global challenges such as armed conflicts, poverty, and the climate crisis. The EFE agency pointed out that the last interaction between the two ministers occurred in November 2021 during the XXVIII summit of Latin American and Spanish foreign ministers in the Dominican Republic, a reference point for the recent evolution of their bilateral connection.
Despite four years passing, there has been no substantial evidence of progress in the form of projects or agreements. Amidst a severe economic crisis, the Cuban regime is looking to deepen economic and commercial cooperation, aiming to reinvigorate bilateral channels within a highly diplomatic multilateral setting.
In July, the Spanish government, led by Pedro Sánchez and currently facing a significant corruption crisis, activated a debt forgiveness program with Cuba, amounting to up to 375 million euros. This initiative is part of an agreement signed between the two countries in 2016, now materializing within the framework of a new multilateral push promoted by the Paris Club.
According to the Spanish government, this effort aims to finance sustainable development projects in strategic sectors such as energy, water, and food security, enabling the participation of Spanish companies and Cuban entities under standards of transparency and accountability. Through this arrangement, the Havana regime will avoid cash repayments and instead, implement projects overseen by both governments. The Spanish authorities emphasize the model's value in "strengthening" international cooperation and promoting projects with significant social impact.
Bilateral Relations Between Cuba and Spain
What was the focus of the recent meeting between Cuban and Spanish foreign ministers?
The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral relations and political dialogue, with Cuba expressing a desire to revitalize ties through broader exchanges with Spain.
How does the debt forgiveness program benefit both countries?
The program allows Cuba to avoid cash repayments by implementing development projects, while Spain aims to strengthen international cooperation and promote projects with high social impact.