Chronicle on Cuba - July 2005
Security
July 8: Any "imperialist" attack against either Cuba or Venezuela would be resisted by both nations as one, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said in an apparent reference to the United States. "The Cuban and Venezuelan peoples and revolutions are one and the same," the left-wing leader said during a ceremony at which he awarded decorations to more than 90 Cuban teachers who had worked in a Venezuelan literacy program. "The world should know, in case there's anyone out there who hasn't realized it yet (…) that any imperialist attack against one of us will be an attack against both," he said. (Swissinfo.News, 9/7/05)
July 18: The Cuban army is staging military exercises to mark the 52nd anniversary of the attack on the Moncada barracks on July 26, 1953, considered the start of the revolution. The three-days exercises are taking place in Havana province. Tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery and anti-aircraft units are participating in the manoeuvres. Reconnaissance, engineering, communications and special operations units are also taking part in the exercises, as well as fighter planes and helicopters, Cuban media reported. (EFE, 20/7/05)
July 29: Venezuela's Brigadier General Eduardo Antonio Centeno Mena, director of the Simon Bolivar Higher Army School, highlighted the nature of relations between his country and Cuba upon arriving in Havana. After arriving at the Jose Marti International Airport heading his country's delegation, Centeno Mena said he is satisfied with the exemplary links between both nations. The Venezuelan officers were welcomed by the director of the Máximo Gómez Revolutionary Armed Forces Academy, Division General Urbelino Betancourt Cruces and Central Army´s General Staff chief Brigadier General Rafael Bello Rivero. The delegation’s agenda in Cuba includes celebrating a graduation ceremony, as well as visiting Cuban military schools and units. (World Data Service, Prensa Latina, 29,30/7/05) |
