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Venezuelan training vessel Simon Bolivar visits Cuba

Xinhua, June 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Venezuelan Navy training vessel the Simon Bolivar docked in Havana's port Wednesday as part of her 27th Overseas Instruction Cruise.

The voyage also marks 10 years since the Petrocaribe's regional agreement on energy cooperation.

While entering the bay, the ship saluted by firing artillery. The fortress of San Carlos located to the right of the bay responded by firing canons.

Also known as the (Venezuelan) "Ambassador Without Borders", the ship will remain in Cuban waters until Sunday and may be visited by the public from Wednesday to Saturday.

Its 173-strong crew which includes officers, sergeants and cadets, is scheduled to meet the Cuban Navy's senior officers and tour places of historical and cultural interest.

The crew will pay tribute to Cuban National Hero Jose Marti and the founding fathers of Venezuelan Independence Simon Bolivar and Francisco of Miranda.

The "Simon Bolivar" was built in Bilbao, Spain, in 1979. She is one of four similar vessels for Latin American navies. The vessels are located in Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador.

Since she was built, the vessel has sailed 26,000 miles and visited at least 20 Latin American and European countries.

From Havana, the ship will move to Jamaica and then return on July 24 to the port of la Guaira in Venezuela, which was the starting point of her journey on May 23.

Upon arrival in Venezuela, the crew and vessel will participate in a naval parade to commemorate the Battle of the Lake.

Later the ship will leave Venezuela for the second stage of the voyage which includes Honduras, Bahamas, Santiago de Cuba and Santa Lucia, concluding on Sept. 26. Endite