Raul Castro and Diaz-Canel send Cuba’s condolences to Algeria

Havana, September 19 – The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported today that Army General Raul Castro and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel sent messages of condolences to Algeria on the death of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

According to the memorandum published on the Cubanrix website, in the letter sent by Raul Castro to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, he referred to the happy moments that Bouteflika shared and the affection he showed towards the historical leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro.

Meanwhile, Díaz-Canel highlighted the friendship that united the two leaders, and expressed his deepest condolences on behalf of the people and government of this Caribbean nation, which he extended to his family and friends.

The day before, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez expressed his regret over the death of the former Algerian president, whom he described as a close friend of his country and its revolution.

Bouteflika died on Friday at the age of 84. He was a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1962 and chancellor in 1963, then served as head of state for four terms.

He was also elected president of the twenty-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1974, where he achieved the international community’s rejection of the policy of apartheid in southern Africa.

He had several meetings with the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, and with General Raul Castro.

He encouraged joint cooperation of projects in various fields and Cuba awarded him the José Martí Medal, the country’s highest government award to eminent personalities.