Vietnam has committed to donating $23.3 million to the Cuban regime following the conclusion of a fundraising campaign initiated by the Vietnamese Communist Party in mid-August. Vietnamese state media reported that shortly after the campaign's launch, more than $15.1 million was raised in just over three weeks, ultimately reaching $23.3 million by October 16, surpassing the initial goal by 9.5 times.
The donation was presented during the closing ceremony of the "65 Years of Vietnam-Cuba Solidarity" program, held this past Saturday in Hanoi. The event also marked the awarding of the "Vietnam-Cuba: A Song of Everlasting Friendship" contest. Present at the ceremony were Do Van Chien, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, former political commissar and current ambassador to Vietnam.
Polanco expressed gratitude with the characteristic flair of regime propaganda. The diplomat remarked that Cuba is remembered by the Vietnamese people as a loyal friend, and he was touched by the "most heartwarming gestures" from Vietnamese children, who donated their small savings and sent letters and drawings to their Cuban friends, profoundly moving the Cuban populace.
In September, during an official tour of Asia, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel had already received a symbolic donation of $15 million as part of this campaign. Although the initiative is portrayed as an act of "historic solidarity," it is striking that a nation facing its own developmental challenges is channeling millions to an island ruled by an elite unwilling to genuinely reform its failed economic model.
Additionally, the public handover of funds amid an official visit, with Díaz-Canel smiling for the cameras, raises questions regarding the allocation and transparency of these resources. In Cuba, there has been no clarification on how the $15 million will be utilized, nor what mechanisms are in place to ensure that this money directly benefits the population instead of being absorbed by the inefficiencies of the state apparatus. The lack of independent institutions and public audits leaves ample room for opacity.
Key Questions on Vietnam's Donation to Cuba
Why did Vietnam donate such a large sum to Cuba?
The donation is portrayed as an act of historic solidarity between the two nations, celebrating 65 years of diplomatic relations. However, the decision to channel funds to Cuba, despite Vietnam's own developmental challenges, raises questions about the motivations and implications of this gesture.
How will the donated funds be used in Cuba?
As of now, there has been no detailed explanation from Cuban authorities on how the $15 million will be used. Concerns remain regarding the transparency and accountability of the allocation of these funds, with fears that they may not directly benefit the Cuban population.