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Ecuadorian president receives Cuba's highest award

Xinhua, May 6, 2017 Adjust font size:

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa received here Friday the Order of Jose Marti, the highest distinction awarded by Cuba to distinguished foreign personalities.

After receiving the honor in a solemn ceremony at the Revolution Palace, Correa said that he not only carries the order on his chest, but also has Cuban independence hero Jose Marti in his heart.

He said that he accepted the honor on behalf of his people, adding this will be his last visit to Havana as Ecuadorian head of state.

If he had any achievements during his 10-year presidency, it was because he "stood on the shoulder of giants" like Latin American independence fighters Simon Bolivar, Eloy Alfaro and Jose Marti, he said.

"And other giants I could be their friend and hear their personal advice like Hugo Chavez, Nestor Kirchner and Fidel Castro," he noted.

During his stay in Cuba, Correa also held official talks with the country's top leader Raul Castro.

Before receiving the award, he paid honor to Jose Marti's Memorial also in the Revolution Plaza, accompanied by officials of both countries.

Earlier on Friday, Correa has received the honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa in Economics of the University of Havana, in a ceremony attended by Cuban First Vice President, Miguel Diaz Canel.

He thanked the university for rendering him the degree, saying it is an honor to receive it in the country where the late leader, Fidel Castro, led a revolution, hence changed the course of history of Latin America.

On Thursday night, the Ecuadorian leader participated in a cultural event with young Ecuadorian and Cuban students from Havana Technological University.

Correa arrived on Wednesday night the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba, about 900km east of Havana, where he paid tribute to the late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, who died in November of last year,

and Jose Marti.

On May 24, 2018, he is scheduled to hand over his position to the President-elect Lenin Moreno of the ruling Alianza Pais movement. Endi