Marking Singapore’s 61st National Day, Ambassador H.E. Lisbet Quesada Luna extends Cuba’s heartfelt congratulations while reaffirming the enduring friendship, expanding bilateral cooperation, and shared commitment to multilateralism that have defined Cuba–Singapore relations for nearly three decades.
As Singapore commemorates its 61st National Day, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Singapore, H.E. Lisbet Quesada Luna, conveyed warm congratulations on behalf of the Cuban Government and people, commending Singapore’s remarkable journey as a resilient and forward-looking nation. She highlighted the strong and longstanding partnership between Cuba and Singapore, expressing confidence that both countries will continue to deepen their friendship and cooperation in the years ahead.
Congratulatory message from H.E. Lisbet Quesada Luna, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Singapore, on the occasion of Singapore’s 61st National Day
“On the occasion of the 61st anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Singapore, I extend, on behalf of the Cuban government and people, our sincerest congratulations to the government and people of Singapore—an example of a small island state with efficient, long-term governance dedicated to the development and well-being of its people.
Cuba has maintained a permanent diplomatic presence through its Embassy in Singapore since 2015; the current Ambassador, H.E. Lisbet Quesada Luna, has held the post since December 2023.
Meanwhile, Singapore has been represented by a Non-Resident Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Shashi Jayakumar, since September 2025.
Cuba and Singapore maintain friendly, long-standing diplomatic relations, established in 1997. High-level visits—notably that of then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Cuba in 2009 and that of Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz in October 2022—along with official visits and sustained exchanges between ministers of various portfolios (particularly foreign ministers) and the periodic holding of political consultations, reaffirm the political will to strengthen and diversify existing ties. The participation of Cuban specialists in courses offered through the Singapore Cooperation Programme serves as a clear example of South-South cooperation.
Our two nations collaborate closely within international bodies such as the United Nations, and we have had a reciprocal visa-waiver agreement in place since 2015, allowing for visa-free travel for up to 30 days. An Air Services Agreement entered into force in 2025, enabling us to boost people-to-people exchanges and bridge the distance between our nations. Key areas of bilateral cooperation include biotechnology, academic and scientific exchange, environmental matters, tourism, maritime transport, and civil aviation.
For decades, we have deepened the strong cooperation between our countries across the United Nations system and within groups such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the G77+China, the Alliance of Small Island States, and the ICAO, among others. Singapore—alongside the overwhelming majority of the international community and consistent with its clear stance on upholding the international order and defending national sovereignty—supports the Cuban resolution against the illegal, extraterritorial U.S. blockade of our country, which is presented annually at the UN General Assembly. Furthermore, its Permanent Representative, His Excellency Mr. Burhan Gafoor, has spoken against the U.S. blockade on behalf of ASEAN during the session where the resolution is put to a vote.
Meanwhile, Cuba has committed to strengthening and diversifying its relations with ASEAN, having acceded to the TAC in 2020 and subsequently becoming the first parliament in Latin America and the Caribbean to obtain Observer Parliament status within AIPA.
On this significant occasion—and ahead of 2027, when Singapore will assume the ASEAN pro tempore chairmanship and both our countries will celebrate the 30th anniversary of our diplomatic relations—we extend warm congratulations to Singapore on its Independence, while reaffirming our firm commitment to strengthening and consolidating the ties of friendship and cooperation between our two nations.”
Source: IN Diplomacy Reporter.
