Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Cuba on Wednesday night, according to Trabajadores, a Cuban pro-government newspaper. He was met at the airport by Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, who also serves as foreign minister.
Raisi is on a five-day trip to South American countries.
In Venezuela, he spoke about the need to confront the US and create a “new world order” that would overturn the US-led world order that has existed since the end of the Cold War.
Raisi arrived at the José Martí International Airport in Havana, where he was met by Iranian Ambassador to Cuba Mohamad Hadi Sobhan. “During his stay, the distinguished visitor will hold talks with Cuban authorities and carry out other activities of interest,” the Cuban media said.
Raisi was expected to meet with President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Thursday.
“The current president of Cuba was retained in his position for the second five-year term by the National Assembly of this country in April this year. Earlier in April 2018, he was elected president and succeeded Fidel Castro’s brother Raul,” the report added.
This is a major trip for Raisi and important for Iran’s global influence. “Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Oil Minister Javad Oji, Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Qaraei Ashtiani, Health Minister Bahram Ainullahi and Mohammad Jamshidi, political deputy of the President’s Office, are among the President’s companions on this trip,” Iran’s pro-government media said.