Quote from Timothy Fitzpatrick on January 23, 2025, 11:27

01/23/2025

On January 22, in Moscow, at the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba, a ceremony was held to present the "Order of Solidarity" to the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation G.A. Zyuganov. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cuba, the high award was presented to the leader of the Russian communists by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to the Russian Federation Julio Antonio Garmendia Peña.

From the Russian side, the ceremony was also attended by Deputy Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation D.G. Novikov, Secretaries of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation A.A. Yushchenko and S.E. Anikhovsky.

G.A. Zyuganov:

— Dear comrades, my friends!

I am not just proud to have received this high award. I am pleased that the past decades of my close friendship with the residents and leadership of the Island of Freedom are being continued by my new team, headed by the Presidium and Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. Our party and our faction in the State Duma have consistently pursued a policy of friendship and security in the interests of our friends on all continents over all these years.

Cuba is also my personal love. In my younger years, on behalf of the leadership of the USSR, I flew to Cuba and helped build factories there.

Later, Mikhail Gorbachev's team betrayed our international friendship. In those years, our team helped Fidel Castro.

We gathered a large Forum of deputies from all continents in Havana, where we declared our solidarity with the Cuban people. Those were very difficult times for Cuba, but I did not see any fear or fear in the eyes of our Cuban comrades.

Our team, headed by I.I. Melnikov, went to Cuba specifically. In Moscow, we discussed with Raul Castro the emergency and additional measures that I addressed to President V.V. Putin, our Government and the State Duma. I am proud that all structures and branches of power in our country responded. And today, Russia provides assistance to Cuba. But I believe that this assistance should be doubled or even tripled.

Today, our team continues to develop Russian-Cuban ties: this area of ​​work is headed by my deputy D.G. Novikov. I believe that our team is successfully fulfilling this historic mission. And it is, indeed, a historic mission.

Because the United States is a predatory shark that is only 90 miles from the island of Freedom. In our opinion, the United States is pursuing a barbaric policy towards the Cuban people. I believe that such cynicism is not worthy of the American people.

In recent decades, I have heard a lot of words about democracy from liberal politicians, but I only believe in deeds. A recent example is when Biden lifted a number of restrictions on Cuba, but the new US President Trump crossed out the previously signed documents a few days later. I think this is a shameful and unworthy policy.

I believe that the "Order of Solidarity" with which the leadership of the Republic of Cuba has awarded me is, first of all, an award for our entire team. We must preserve peace and protect our wonderful planet. But without solidarity and mutual trust, this is impossible. We need to unite all the peace-loving forces of the planet. The solidarity of progressive forces is the main condition for overcoming all the difficulties on the planet.

Julio Antonio Garmendia Peña, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to the Russian Federation:

— Good afternoon!

Today is a special day for our diplomatic mission. We have gathered here to fulfill a pleasant mission and to present the “Order of Solidarity”, approved by decree of our President, to a great friend of Cuba and the Cuban people, Gennady Andreyevich Zyuganov.

Comrade Zyuganov needs no long introduction. His entire fruitful life was dedicated to the struggle for the well-being of his people and the peoples who are fighting for freedom, sovereignty and independence. His merits in the struggle for noble causes are recognized by both friends and opponents. His prestige and authority place him among the most outstanding Russian leaders and figures of recent decades.

Cuba and Cubans see Zyuganov as a true patriot of his time, a reliable friend and defender of the Cuban Revolution, which he accompanied and protected without hesitation.

It is a great honor for me to read the letter of our President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez on the occasion of his 80th birthday and to present him with the "Order of Solidarity", which Gennady Andreevich was awarded by presidential decree.

"Dear Comrade Zyuganov!

It is a great honor for me, on behalf of the Communist Party of Cuba and on my own behalf, to convey to you the warmest congratulations on the occasion of your 80th birthday.

Your life, dedicated to the defense of your country and the just causes of this world, became an example and inspiration for many patriots and communists not only in Russia, but throughout the world.

Your solidarity and that of your party are the bulwark of the historical relations of friendship and solidarity between the peoples of Cuba and Russia, especially in difficult and challenging times like these.

I have vivid memories of pleasant personal meetings with you during my recent visits to the Russian Federation.

The Cuban Revolution has always had and will have in you a loyal and consistent friend.

On this special occasion, I would like to once again express our most sincere wishes for health and well-being to you and your family.

A big hug,

Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez."

Source: https://kprfrzn.ru/news/informatsiya-ck/g-a-zjuganova-nagradili-kubinskim-ordenom-solidarnosti