Cuba announces state mourning in commemoration of Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong

According to a communique run by Granma, the daily newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba, said Cuba will officially observe a mourning from 6 am of July 20 (local time) to midnight of July 21, while the state mourning will run for the whole of July 22.

During the state mourning, flags will be hoisted half-mast at all the public buildings and military offices.

Also on July 19, the Cuban National Assembly observed a minute in commemoration of the Vietnamese Party chief.

Cuban media described Party General Nguyen Phu Trong as one of those who enthusiastically boost the fraternal and special relations and the mutual must between the Parties, National Assemblies, Governments, and peoples of the two countries.

The Party leader made official visits to Cuba in 2012 and 2018.

In their letters sent to Viet Nam over the passing away of the Vietnamese leader, General Raúl Castro Ruz and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz Canel-Bermúdez expressed their deepest condolences to the family of the Vietnamese Party General Secretary and the Vietnamese people.

The passing away of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong is an irreparable loss for Cuba. Cuba will always remember comrade Nguyen Phu Trong as a great brother who tirelessly promoted the special friendly relationship between the two Parties, parliaments, Governments, and peoples.

"Our beloved friend Nguyen Phu Trong will be remembered by generations of Cubans as a pillar in the long-standing traditional friendship between our two countries and as a great brother who was always ready to give his hand of solidarity to Cuba in the most complex and challenging situations," the letter read.

They recalled Party General Secretary Nguyen's visit to Cuba in March 2018, and especially the memorable moments of his trip to Santiago de Cuba to pay homage to his friend, a historic leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.

"Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong's life and career are a priceless legacy for future generations. His contributions to the role of the Communist Party, the creative application of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought, and his vision of international relations in the current context are among his outstanding contributions to the building of socialism in Viet Nam. This will be reflected in new victories in the Doi Moi cause in Viet Nam under the wise leadership of the CPV," read the letter.

General Raúl Castro Ruz and President Miguel Díaz Canel-Bermúdez affirmed their belief that the example that Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong set and the legacy he left will be an invaluable source of encouragement for all efforts of Vietnamese people.

They confirmed to President To Lam their support and solidarity as well as the persistent will to continue promoting the unbreakable bond of brotherhood between Cuba and Viet Nam.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong passed away on July 19 afternoon at the age of 80, according to the board of health protection and care for central officials./.