Envoy bemoans Trump administration’s negative impact on Cuba
Omeiza Bilal
The emergence of the Trump administration has significantly reinforced the blockade on Cuba, leading to increased hardship for the country, Ana Flavia, Deputy Ambassador of Cuba in Nigeria, has said.
She stated this while playing host to a delegation from Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN), led by its Chairman, Idehai Frederick Thursday in Abuja.
“We have a very difficult situation,” Flavia acknowledged, emphasizing the challenges posed by the current global situation. Despite these challenges, the Cuban Embassy in Abuja remains committed to fostering a strong relationship with Nigeria, particularly in areas such as education and culture.
The embassy has been working to increase cooperation and economic relations between the two countries. “Nigeria is a very strong country, and we need help from everywhere in the world to survive this complicated situation,” Flavia explained.
Educational exchange is a key area of focus, with the Minister of State for Education recently attending an international conference in Cuba. The Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs has also met with important figures in Nigeria.
Despite financial constraints, the embassy is exploring alternative arrangements to support journalists and students who wish to travel to Cuba. “Sometimes we arrange for another person to give monetary support for people to travel,” Flavia said.
The embassy is eager to maintain open communication with Nigerian journalists and organizations. “We are very happy to be in contact with you… we need the press support, and we will be very happy to have you here,” Flavia emphasized.
While introducing DICAN to his host, Idehai stressed that the partnership will not only help in highlighting Cuba’s policy drive in Nigeria but also enhance cultural exchange and diplomatic correspondence between Nigeria and Cuba.
“We will provide your country with the needed support in the area of quality and credible reportage for the sake of humanity,” Idehai said.
He said the role of media in promoting democracy, good governance and bilateral relationships cannot be overemphasized.
“As frontline media houses, assigned to cover the diplomatic community by our individual organisation understand the importance of good governance, democracy as well as international politics of supremacy among nations.”
The visit also touched on the upcoming DICAN Diplomatic/ Security International Conference, where stakeholders in the diplomatic, security, intelligence and media on June 19, 2025 will converge on Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja to brainstorm on how to make the world a better and safer place.
“We want to enhance bilateral relationships through our engagement and agenda setting. “When governments across the nations of the world know that journalists are interested in monitoring their programmes, they wake up and address their challenges,” he said.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador, Yusuf Tuggar will be the keynote speaker of the conference with the theme: “Nigeria’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Strategy Amidst Global Security Challenges, Strategic Misperceptions, and the Age of Disinformation: The Role of Diplomacy, Intelligence, and Media in Shaping National and Global Stability.”
