Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on his reelection as the country's top leader and reaffirmed Cuba's commitment to strengthening ties with Pyongyang. North Korea's state media reported the message on Thursday. The Cuban leader expressed the commitment in a letter sent earlier this month.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on his reelection as president of the state affairs commission at a recent parliamentary session. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Diaz-Canel as saying in a message sent earlier this month, "I affirm that I place high importance on relations with" North Korea. The Cuban leader added, "I once again affirm our commitment to expanding friendship, cooperation and solidarity between our two countries."
North Korea and Cuba are long-time allies whose ties were frayed by Cuba's surprise establishment of diplomatic relations with South Korea in 2024. The two leaders reportedly met while traveling to China in September last year to attend a military parade in Beijing.
The report included a photo of North Korea's Foreign Affairs Minister Ri Su-yong meeting Diaz-Canel in Havana in May 2019. Both nations appear to be mending their relations.
