Zarif Visits Latin America

In November 2020, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif traveled to Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia. The three countries shared Iran's anti-Americanism and sought deeper bilateral relations with Tehran. On November 5, Zarif met with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other government officials in Caracas. "[This] visit ratifies the unshakeable spirit of the strategic relations of cooperation and solidarity between Iran and Venezuela," Maduro tweeted after the meeting. On November 6, Zarif traveled to Havana, where he visited Cuban medical facilities and met Cuba's deputy prime minister. Zarif ended his Latin America trip in Bolivia, where he attended the inauguration of Bolivian President Luis Arce on November 8.

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November 5: Zarif meets with Venezuelan officials

Maduro Zarif

Zarif elbow bumped President Maduro in Caracas. "[This] visit ratifies the unshakeable spirit of the strategic relations of cooperation and solidarity between Iran and Venezuela," Maduro tweeted after the meeting.

 

Maduro Council

Zarif spoke with President Maduro, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez and Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza. 

 

Zarif Ven VP

Zarif met one-on-one with Vice President Rodríguez. 

 

Zarif Ven FM

Zarif also met with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Arreaza. “The United States and its allies can’t control what’s happening in the world," Zarif told reporters after the meeting. "They’ve lost control.” 

 

November 6-7: Zarif meets with Cuban officials

Zarif Cuba Medica

In Havana, Zarif was briefed on Cuba’s coronavirus vaccine efforts at the Centre for Advanced Studies and the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. "I was impressed by Cuba's Nano & #COVID19 achievements," Zarif tweeted.

 

Zarif Cuba FM

Zarif met with Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas. They "agreed to draw on one another’s experience in the domains of medicine, nanotechnology, science and energy as well as in the pharmaceutical industry," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.

 

Cuba Pres Zarif

Zarif met virtually with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who reaffirmed Havana's support for Iran's civilian nuclear program. Zarif expressed "gratitude" for Cuba's support at the U.N. General Assembly and invited Diaz-Canel to visit Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said. 

 

November 7-8: Zarif attends Bolivian presidential inauguration

Zarif Bolivia Arrival

Zarif arrived in La Paz on November 7 "to celebrate with Bolivians the fruits of their struggle to restore their democracy."

 

Zarif Bolivian Pres

Zarif attended the inauguration ceremony of Bolivian President Luis Arce. “Great to witness the joy people exhibit celebrating their restoration of liberty & democracy,” Zarif tweeted.

 

Ashley Lane, an intern at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and Andrew Hanna, a program specialist at the U.S. Institute of Peace, assembled this report. 

Photo credits: All photos from Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Venezuelan Office of the Presidency