24 Nov 2021

Outgoing Cuban ambassador Ms Patricia Guerre has commended President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and his government for efforts undertaken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Guerre, who is completing her tour of duty to Botswana this month, said during a valedictory call on President Masisi at the Office of the President yesterday that having lived in the country at the height of the pandemic, she considered herself a witness.

The ambassador said she could bear testimony to the efforts made to combat the scourge, through various state interventions, to save Batswana.

Ms Guerre reiterated her country’s commitment to continuing the excellent bilateral relations between the two states for the past 44 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations on December 7, 1977.

 Promising that Cuba would continue working on mutually beneficial partnerships with Botswana, she expressed pride at having met many Cuba-trained Batswana in fields such as medicine and sports or those who had worked with Cuban doctors and teachers in Botswana.

Ms Guerre thanked Botswana for consistently taking to international diplomatic platforms such as the United Nations and African Union to speak and vote against the US-imposed trade embargo on Cuba.

For his part, President Masisi commended Cuba for the technical support extended to Botswana over the years and said the country looked forward to growing the two countries’ bond.

“Botswana and Cuba go back a long way, and still have a long way to go in future. We are eternally grateful for the support, materially, politically and in our professional sphere, the training of our workers and athletes as well as for the availing of Cuban professionals,” the President said.

President Masisi noted the pivotal role played by Cuba in the liberation struggle of Southern African countries and extended gratitude on behalf of the region. 

Ms Guerre, who arrived on November 28, 2016, departs on Sunday exactly five years to the date she first arrived in Botswana to head her country’s diplomatic mission.ends