Cuba declares national mourning in memory of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

According to a statement published in the daily newspaper Granma, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of Cuba, Cuba will hold official mourning for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong from 6:00 a.m. on July 20 (local time) to 12:00 a.m. on July 21, while the national mourning ceremony will take place all day on July 22.

During the national mourning period, flags will be flown at half-mast at public buildings and military headquarters across Cuba, and no public entertainment or recreational activities will be held. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed his deep condolences to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, whom he considered a dear comrade and sincere friend of Cuba.

The Cuban President also sent his condolences to the Vietnamese people, the family and relatives of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Earlier, upon hearing the news of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's health, Mr. Díaz-Canel, on behalf of the Communist Party, Government and people of Cuba, expressed solidarity with the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Also on July 19, the Cuban National Assembly observed a minute of silence during its regular session to commemorate General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. According to Cuban media, throughout his long and successful political career, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was one of the people who enthusiastically promoted the special brotherly relationship and mutual trust between the Party, National Assembly, Government and people of Cuba and Vietnam. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong paid official visits to Cuba in 2012 and 2018.