Varela affirms Cuba trade,political support

President  Juan Carlos Varela used his 27-hour visit to Cuba this week to send a “decided message” of economic and political support, amid the implementation of new measures to make travel easier for  Cubans visiting the Isthmus.

“My presence at the International Fair of Havana (Fihav 2018) is a strong message from our Government and our business sector in support of the economic opening of Cuba,” said Varela after inaugurating the  Panama pavilion.

“The economic reforms promoted by former President Raúl Castro since 2011 “began to have an important impact on the Cuban population, and Panama with its air and maritime connectivity will play an important role in favoring that” growth for the benefit of its people,” said Varela.

“Panama will always be on the side of Cuba, Panama is a grateful country, and Cuba and its Revolution have always been close to Panama,” the president said.

After the official ceremony, the president presided over the signing of an agreement to establish a business committee between the chambers of commerce of both nations and stopped for more than half an hour to greet and take photographs with the Panamanian businessmen attending the fair.

The event comes on the eve of another visit to China.  Both trips are seen by critics as ribbon-cutting photo ops when there are more urgent matters needing his attention in Panama.