“The Friendship between Tehran and Havana is not because of the Existence of a Common Enemy.” Says Cuban Ambassador to Iran

Alberto González Casals has been Ambassador positions in Turkiye, and charge d’affairs in The United States of America, Venezuela, Seychelles and Guyana. Before coming to Iran, he was the Director of the International Press Center in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba. It is interesting to note that from 1991 to 1993, following the request of Angola to Cuba, he fulfilled internationalist mission to this country to battle against the invasion of South Africa. At that period of time, Cuba’s military aid to Namibia and Ethiopia led to the country’s prestige and special character among African countries. In the interview we had with the Cuban ambassador to Iran, while examining the potentials to boost economic relations between the two countries, we discussed solving the existing challenges in order to speed up the cooperation.

AVA Diplomatic’s Exclusive Interview with

Mr. Alberto González Casals, Cuba’s Ambassador to Iran 

Given the fact that the two countries of Iran and Cuba have been facing sanctions by the United States of America for many years, in which areas the impact of the sanctions on Cuba is more evident?

I thank you for creating this opportunity. I have been expecting such an interview for a while.

Regarding the question you posed, we cannot say about circumventing the sanctions. It is the very right of Cuba and Iran to have equal conditions according to the international law and sovereignty for commerce and access to the international markets and financial system, like other countries in the world, and not be sanctioned because of our independence.

The sanctions impose against our countries meddle in the internal affairs of Cuba and Iran, and violates the principle of the independence of a nation and the human rights of our people.

For example in the context of Covid-19, the sanctions against Cuba reached “unsuspected limits of cruelty, by hindering solidarity donations, trying to hinder the development of Cuban vaccines and limiting the possibilities of accessing medicines and basic supplies .

It is estimated that since the imposition of the blockade to date, the damage caused by the US sanctions measures against Cuba exceeds 144.413 million dollars at current prices.

USA needs to take an account that the big majority of the international community in the votes held annually at the United Nations (UN), reject the US policy against Cuba.

For sure, sanctions have damaged the economy of both countries. They have also affected the social life of our nations, but regarding the objective our enemies were pursuing, we see that sanctions have been ineffective.

Cuba and Iran have been under sanctions for more than 60 and 40 years, respectively. None of these sanctions have been able to have an impact on the will of the nations in the independence and sovereignty they wanted. The policy of sanction must be removed.

Principally they wanted to influence the social and political order of our countries. This is the main goal that they have not achieved so far and they cannot achieve in the future, too.

Once again, I repeat this sentence that it is our absolute right to be able to live normally and in peace like other countries.

As I asserted in my talks with President Raisi, the best solution for embargoed countries is to unite and cooperate with each other. We can see that the political ties between Cuba and Iran are at an excellent level.

While there exist favorable political relations between the two countries, why are economic relations between Iran and Cuba not in good condition? What is the most important challenge that obstacles further development of economic relations between the two countries in the near future?

Political relations and multilateral relations between the two countries are at a very high level, however, the economic relations are at a lower level. Of course, this issue cannot be a problem in bilateral relations. One of our goals in the future is to strengthen commercial and economic ties.

The existing challenge between the two countries, after all these years of connection, is lack of awareness of one another’s capabilities. We are now creating relationships in a way that leads to this awareness.

Iran should have a strategic vision not only towards Cuba but all Latin American countries. Iran has the products that the world needs. These products should be internationally introduced. Iran’s focus on this matter seems to be more at the regional level, anyhow it should go beyond regional borders and preferably enter Latin America and Africa. It can also enter Europe if possible.

Of course, Cuba’s economy is somehow different. In terms of natural resources, Iran is very rich and diverse. Unfortunately we do not have such natural resources, we have good human resources, though.

The geographical location of Cuba is also special. Cuba can be a gateway for Iran to enter the Latin American region. Iran can make economic investments inside Cuba. In the meantime, I should re-emphasize that the present challenge is lack of awareness of the existing potentials.

To what extent has the lack of awareness of Cuba’s capacities in Iran been touched by the past activities of the Cuban Embassy in Tehran?

I do not want to evaluate the performance of the former diplomats. Certainly, everyone did his best at his own time. There is inertia in economic relations between Cuba and Iran. Some bureaucracy and administrative issues are also effective in this regard.

Iran has the entire capabilities to cooperate to the economic and commercial development of Cuba.

You mentioned that Cuba can be a gateway for Iran to cooperate with the Latin American countries. The question arises, which countries are Cuba’s most important political and business partners?

Cuba has political and economic relations with over a hundred countries across the world. As a matter of fact, Cuba has great relations with all Latin American and African countries, as well as many Asian countries. If you notice there is no relationship between Cuba and some countries, that is not on Cuba’s side. I can name the United States of America and Israel in this context.

When I say Cuba can be a spot for the economic investment of Iran, it means that Iran can send its product to other Latin American countries through Cuba, considering the special conditions and position Cuba has in the region.

The main economic and business partners of Cuba now are Venezuela, China, Russia, Spain and Canada. We cannot say which one is higher than the other.

We also have a good volume of trade with Mexico and some European countries like Italy and Germany.

We have fine exchanges with these countries in various fields especially in tourism, food products as well as biotechnology, in which Cuba plays an influential and significant role.

In what areas can Iran invest in Cuba?

We can cooperate in the fields of energy, fuel refining, food industry, pharmaceutical industry, production development, mining, and in all the fields where Iran has progressed.

Following the fire in oil facilities of Cuba, a team of Iranian experts was sent there to help fight the fire. What was the reason for this incident?

It was our main oil storage facility that had an accident. That fire occurred due to some atmospheric reasons.

In the first stage, we counted on Iran’s support to control the fire. Sadly, this incident had lots of casualties. A series of firefighting equipment was also sent to us from Iran.

Regarding this matter, Mr. Díaz-Canel, the President of Cuba, and I expressed our gratitude to the Iranian government.

Is the big lines in front of the gas stations in Cuba because of the damage to fuel storage tanks?

That is exactly right. One of the big economic problems of Cuba, which the whole world knows about, is the fuel supply.

We are negotiating with Iran to import some fuel to Cuba.

How much was Iran’s share in the foreign trade volume of Cuba in 2022 and what product did it include?

We can say that it was very low in terms of volume.

Currently, we focus on energy, to some extent on technology transfer, and also on production of pharmaceutical and medical products. More work should be done in this matter. We hope to reach positive and favorable results in the near future.

What is the status of banking relations between the two countries now?

If we want to have strong and persistent economic relations, this issue which is related to sanctions matters so much. Cuba and Iran are both under sanctions. On International level, we are not allowed to have transactions like SWIFT.

Last year, some agreements were made between the Central Bank of Cuba and the Central Bank of Iran to transfer currency directly. For instance, Karafarin Bank from Iran and a Cuban bank were supposed to open accounts for companies and institutes that are supposed to have exchanges. It can be a matter of facilitation.

Is it a Line of Credit?

It is a Deposit Account for both countries. But it could be credit too.

Is there a limit considered for this account?

There is no limit for that.

Russia utilizes SPFS instead of SWIFT for its transactions. Why does not Cuba use this financial network for economic exchanges with Iran?

Please remember that financial persecution has been distinctive feature of the embargo against Cuba.

Cuban financial institutions continued to be subjected to a policy of hostility and persecution by the United States government. The monetary-financial damages as a result of this blockade amounted to millions and millions dollars.

The regulations and provisions of the Treasury, Commerce and State Departments prohibit direct financial transactions by persons or companies subject to US jurisdiction toward Cuba.

The island remains unable to use the US dollar in Cuban commercial and financial transactions abroad, as well as to access sources of financing from US banks and commercial entities, whose use is practical in world trade.

Difficulties related to access to new technologies of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) continue, due to the fact that most of the companies that provide the software and technologies are American.

Likewise, there have been multiple cases of closure and the refusal to open accounts to embassies and Cuban diplomatic officials abroad, as well as representations of Cuban entities, under the consideration that Cuba is a sanctioned country and subject to the regulations of the blockade, which contravenes International and Diplomatic Law. Cuban funds have been withheld which make it difficult to access national financial resources at opportune moments.

Considering this situation impose to us, we should find a solution regarding compliance with international laws.

The exchanges can take place by any way possible for us on the international banks. We hope to find a direct method for exchange between Cuba and Iran.

How is it that you consider the sanctions illegal and at the same time pay attention to the legality and not violate them?

When I talk about legality of international laws, I mostly mean common banking regulations. We always try to pay our debts normally. Unfortunately, we are under a lot of pressure and this issue can be seen in everyday life.

I make an example to better understand the impacts of sanctions. I used to be Cuban ambassador to Turkiye. To pay my daughter’s school tuition which was an international school in Turkiye, I had to do it through a US-owned bank. Clearly, they did not accept money from us as Cuban citizens. Note that we are talking about paying school tuition, not high-level economic matters. I gave the money to my driver, who was from Turkiye, and he paid it to the school. We should do something about these sanctions.

I always say that there is no Cuban in the world not touched by sanction laws, as it is true for Iranians all over the world. Who do these sanctions affect? Obviously, people.

How many Cubans are living abroad?

A little more than 2 million.

How many of them live in the United States?

Around 1,5 million, most of whom have migrated.

Given the fact that 1.5 million Cubans live in the United States, does the power of the Cuban opposition lobby there allow the relations between Washington and Havana to improve?

When I talk about 1.5 million Cubans living in the United States, I do not mean they are all against the Cuban government.

According to the studies conducted in this regard, we have come to the conclusion that many of these people are in favor of a good and healthy relationship between the two countries of Cuba and the United States of America.

A very small percentage of them who ironically have a lot of money and are supported by the U.S. and given millions of dollars every year, carry out actions against the country of Cuba.

See, we are talking about millions of dollars that the American government spends on harming the order and laws of Cuba through the taxes it collects from its citizens. Every year millions of dollars are spent on this.

You well know that there have been thousands of attacks against Cuba. The Bay of Pigs Invasion was truly unjust. We have lost over three thousand people due to the American terrorist attacks against Cuba.

We call this State terrorism as the money spent for such actions came from the US government.

We have witnessed economic attacks against Cuba. Cuban health has also been attacked. They have made bacteria and diseases to harm Cuba.

Diseases and pests have been used against the agricultural sector of Cuba. These issues have definitely affected tourism to Cuba.

Tourism is the main industry of our country.

The Cuban parliamentary election has recently been held. What percentage of Cuban voters participated in that election? Was it possible for the figures of opposition to run in that election?

The participation rate was seventy eight percent and something. We can say this participation rate is higher than many countries in the world. One of the problems we see in the world now is that people are not that much motivated to vote. Despite all the problems, we could achieve the final result of 75% of correct votes.

I can say we have a democratic system where a villager or a laborer can enter into this matter and everyone has the right to run for elections.

People in the area where they live or work can first enter urban institutions like municipalities, and then enter the parliament from there. These people can be supporters or opponents.

Do you know why opponents do not enter this scene? Because they know they will lose. They claim they were not allowed to run for elections which is not really true. Many of the opponents were present in the past rounds but did not succeed as they got less votes.

Opponents must go through a normal process to be in the parliament. We see that the United States itself is one of the non-democratic systems, where no parties except two are permitted to run for elections. It’s archaic, elitist system where money rules and only two political parties take turns in a minority government.

I do not think you have ever seen an athlete or a villager or a laborer become the president of the United States. Usually, in terms of financial support, whoever has more money can achieve more success. What level of representation of democracy can be there? The first step of democracy is to accept the right of other people and countries to have their own system.

Mr. Díaz-Canel, the current President of Cuba, has reached this stage from working in a factory. In fact, he was an engineer working in a factory.

If the opponents would like to get their pleasant outcome, they should enter to the legal way on the country’s electoral procedures.

In the recent parliamentary election there was only one party, though.

This statement somewhat comes from lack of knowledge of Cuba’s history. There are historical foundations that support our system.

The unique party system is the one that defends the idea of ​​submitting the ideology of a political system to a single order of interests: the interests of the people. And the Party, as the organized vanguard of that people, must not only interpret and elucidate those interests, but must also project strategies that help the state apparatus to make decisions in accordance with those interests.

The unique Party model in Cuba is defined in the Constitution, which establishes the Communist Party as the guide of the State and society. But the Communist Party in Cuba does not have electoral functions, it does not have the power to nominate or designate a candidate, to remove an administrative position or to supplant state powers, such as the administration of justice or public administration.

Cuban law does not establish being a party member as a requirement to be a candidate. In other words, the unique Party is part of a political model in which what matters is not affiliation to an organization but rather submission to popular interests and wills.

Today, the unique Party model is the target of attacks by the enemies of Cuba, and for this, it uses propaganda on social networks, creation and dissemination of distorted content of history and the legal system.

From the 18th century till now there has only been one party, the Revolutionary Party of José Martí.

Electoral matters in Cuba are not party-based, they depend on the conditions and merits of individuals. It is people who vote for the individuals they want. Once again, I highlight that whoever wishes to be president should go through its procedures. There is no limit in this regard. For example, we represent all sectors of our society in the parliament, including homosexual community.

Do you have any statistics of the number of homosexuals inside Cuba?

No, because there’s not a fact to register as homosexual or not, it is about the right of each individual in Cuba to determine their will and sexual preference.

The National Assembly recently approved a draft Family Code that contains provisions allowing same-sex couples to marry.

Let’s get back to Iran-Cuba relations. When was the last Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation of the two countries held? What was its agenda? And is the time of the next meeting determined?

Exactly one year has passed since the last joint commission meeting held in May. We had a big agenda in that commission. Thirteen MOUs in various sectors were signed. There were sectors determined to prepare the ground for economic activity between the two countries; sectors such as agriculture, energy, pharmaceutical and food products.

A method was supposed to be detected for many companies that operate in the field of food products so that they can have their exchanges throughout the whole year. We also have some agreements proposal on customs affairs.

There were important agreements that could prepare the ground for progress and elevate the ties between the two countries. Cuba will host the next commission which we expect to hold this year in June, actually the next month. A high-ranking delegation from Iran will appear in Cuba and we are making arrangements for that.

Is there now a barter trade agreement between the two countries?

There is barter but it should be used more.

There are many products to be bartered. We made some offers and also received some offers from the Iranian side. We should collaborate in this field.

I always say that Iran’s vision towards Cuba in economic affairs is different. Population of Iran is more than 80 million. We are only 12 million which is maybe half of Tehran.

We are a small island compared to the size of Iran. Our economies are very asymmetrical.

If you go to Isfahan and stamp your feet on the ground, some mines will be discovered. Do the same in Cuba and a mango will fall on your head.

Required evaluations are needed to see in which areas we can barter.

Is there a specific time determined to launch a direct flight between Tehran and Havana? What consultations are underway to realize it?

We have offered many suggestions and we have made some progress. We are still negotiating with Mahan Air. Now, there is a crisis in global aviation affairs.

This field is very competitive. We have had some talks with non-Iranian airlines like Qatar and Turkish in order to provide facilities in this regard. It is not easy for an airline, even if it is non-Iranian, to take passengers from Iran directly to Cuba.

There are direct flights to Cuba from Europe. Turkish Airlines did not accept to establish a direct flight to Havana from Tehran as it’s competitive with its flight from Istanbul.

We host plenty of European airlines in Havana. We do prefer that either an Iranian airline or a Cuban airline establish a direct flight between the two countries.

In the negotiations with Mahan Air, they have focused more on the cargo.

Have you negotiated with Iran Air, The Islamic Republic of Iran Airlines?

No, we have not. There must be an airline to be able to fly long distances and also be a cargo.

Last year, more than a thousand Iranians visited Cuba. If we count those who go to Canada through Cuba, the number can reach two thousand.

We should not only consider passengers who want to fly from Iran. We should think of this regionally. Iran can be a hub from where passengers fly to Havana. This matter can also be beneficial for Europe. There is a big potential for that.

I stress that we have to work on it. We have also concentrated on the countries of the region. Inside the region, Iranians usually visit Turkey, Dubai, Oman and Armenia.

For Iranians, due to the sanctions, traveling to Europe is associated with some difficulties. So, Latin America could be a new destination. We should enhance the capacities that exist in this regard. We can also think of all the conditions for Islamic tourism.

What negotiations are underway between Iran and Cuba in the field of boosting scientific cooperation and new technologies?

One of the most important and valuable constant exchanges and negotiations between Cuba and Iran is in the field of technology and its most important is biotechnology. These collaborations led to the production of vaccines that Iranians could use in COVID time.

Were the COVID vaccines produced in Iran or were the produced vaccines imported into Iran?

The first part of vaccines was imported to Iran from Cuba. Then we transferred the technology to Iran and started to produce them here.

COVID vaccines are still being produced and sent to other countries from the laboratories here. Not only for the production of COVID vaccines but we are also negotiating with Iran about the transfer of technology for the production of other vaccines in Iran.

We know that pharmaceutical companies are very sensitive about their issues and we cannot say a lot in this regard. Now, there are activities in progress to make a vaccine named Pneumococcal which is related to respiratory diseases. Activities are underway not only in the field of human vaccines but also in the field of animal vaccines. Right now we have collaboration with Barkat Pharmaceutical Group, Pasteur Institute of Iran, CinnaGen Co. and different laboratories.

Back then, although the agreements were being carried out, COVID started and we had to focus all our attention on it. I re-emphasize that the matter of pharmaceuticals and vaccines productions can be a positive and powerful point in bilateral relations.

To exchange professors and students between the universities of Iran and Cuba, what agreements have been made so far?

In this regard, there are many points for agreements. We are providing conditions for student exchange between many universities. We have very a good relationship with Imam Khomeini International University in Qazvin, Ahlul Bayt International University as well as University of Tehran.

We have also put forward our suggestions to other university groups in Tehran, but we have not yet received any answer. Some universities here have their own limitations that prefer to have relations with European countries, and they forget the strong potential of Latin-American high level house of study.

Considering so many commonalities between the two countries, why are there just few Persian language students in Cuba? Is there potential to promote the Persian language in Cuba?

The number is not the case. They did not have the opportunity to enter this field. There could be conditions where learning Persian language is more available in the Latin American region.

There are only four persons in Cuba who speak Persian well. We should make progress in this field as well.

One of the topics that we raised in our negotiations with universities is to be able to bring students to Iran so that they can learn Persian language and have Iranian studies. On the other hand, Iranian students should be able to go to Cuba to learn Spanish.

The proposal of the Iranian side is that Iranian students go to Cuba not only to learn Spanish but also to have Latin American studies.

Given that education in Cuba is free, students interested in studying in Cuba do not have to pay tuition. Is that right?

It is not like that. Free education is for the Cubans. Of course, the cost of education for foreigners is reasonable. Even their classes can be free of charge and they only pay for food and small things.

Don’t tourists have the right to carry more than a certain amount of dollars when they enter Havana?

Of course not. The more money they bring, the better it is for us. They are given a bank card through which they have to make purchases.

Is it obligatory to buy with a Cuban bank card?

They can also pay in cash. That card you could get it from a Cuban bank. This method is also beneficial to the Cuban bank as it wants people to open accounts there. In general, this matter is a suggestion and not a compulsion.

You can enter Cuba with your money and change your money on any legal way or anywhere and spend it there.

Mr. Ambassador, thanks a lot for taking the time to conduct this interview. If you have final words on the significance of bilateral relations between Iran and Cuba, feel free to say please.

I thank you for this interview. The issue of sanctions is always a priority for us. There is also the matter of conditions and facilities for investments in Cuba. And that Iran sees Cuba as a strategic point in the Latin American region.

Another point I would like to mention is that now Cuba is the president of Group of 77 plus China. This group would like to help progress for the countries under sanction such as Cuba.

Since Iran is also a member of this group, we ask Iran to have an active participation. Iran’s idea and vision is very important in multilateral issues. We always want Iran to be present in all the activities.

In terms of multilateralism, we have good relations, especially in the international scene. There is a deep and true friendship between both countries and both nations. Of course, the reason for this friendship is not the existence of a common enemy. Many say that the relationship between Iran and Cuba is due to the existence of a common enemy. The two countries have a lot in common.

The resistance of the people of the two countries brings us very close. Both nations are decent and very similar to each other.

Both nations are hospitable. Anywhere you go in Iran, even though they don’t know you, they will treat you to at least a cup of tea. It is the same in Cuba. We are not very similar only in one thing and that is traffic road.