Upon hearing the news of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's passing, the Party, State, and people of Cuba declared a period of mourning from July 20th.

Previously, when news about General Secretary Trong's health condition emerged, Cuban leaders extended their condolences and support to the people of Vietnam on behalf of the Cuban populace. These noble gestures stem from the special comradely and brotherly relationship between the two countries.

Argelio Hernández Bairan, Head of Political Affairs for the Eastern Army, remarked, “Upon hearing the news of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's passing, we declared a national mourning. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was closely connected with the Cuban people. We extend our condolences to our Vietnamese friends.”

At the Carlos Manuel De Cespedes Museum in Granma Province, named after the father of Cuban independence, the sorrow was palpable. Staff members, from the director to the employees, expressed their grief over the loss of Vietnam's General Secretary.

Nelsa Pacheco Álvarez, a museum employee, said, “The people of Cuba, and especially those of us working here, are deeply saddened by his passing.”

Javier Vega Layva, the museum director, echoed these sentiments: “Cuba, the Party, the State, and the people are very saddened by the loss of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.”

Veteran Joaquin Santi Esteban Gongora from Holguín shared, “Your General Secretary was a great friend to the Cuban people. He visited Santiago de Cuba to pay respects to our Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro. The Cuban people admire the Vietnamese people and share in your sorrow.”

Jose Carlos Pronete Suarez, a resident of Santiago De Cuba, emotionally conveyed, “We received the news of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's passing. The people and this city extend our deepest condolences for this loss.”

According to VNA reporters in Havana, on the morning of July 24 (local time), First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez led a high-ranking Cuban delegation to pay respects to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the Vietnamese Embassy in Havana.

Accompanying President Miguel Díaz-Canel were Politburo members: Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz; Permanent Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and Head of the Central Organization Department Roberto Morales Ojeda; Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parilla; Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa; Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Ana María Mari Machado, along with many other senior officials.

Mr. Miguel Díaz-Canel affirmed that the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is an irreplaceable loss for the Cuban people. President Miguel Díaz-Canel shared that he and many other senior Cuban leaders present at the ceremony had the opportunity to meet and work with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, a close comrade and a true brother to the Cuban people. The book "Some Theoretical and Practical Issues on Socialism and the Path to Socialism in Vietnam" by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a valuable reference that he always keeps in his office.

In the book of condolences, the Cuban President wrote: "In this moment of sorrow, we firmly believe that the contributions of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong will forever be remembered in the cause of the Party and the Vietnamese people. Forever remembering our sincere friend!"

In recent days, Cuban media have continuously published numerous articles highlighting General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's contributions to the country's construction and development, as well as the rare friendship, camaraderie, and brotherhood between Vietnam and Cuba.

On July 24, Speaker of the Cuban National Assembly Esteban Lazo Hernandez arrived in Hanoi to attend the funeral of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. On the morning of July 25, the Cuban delegation, led by Speaker Esteban Lazo Hernandez, paid their respects at the National Funeral Home.

Earlier, on July 19, President Miguel Díaz-Canel declared a national mourning period in Cuba to commemorate General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong.

Bui Chi Trung

Associate Professor, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the Institute of Journalism and Communication Training, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi.