HAVANA, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan naval training ship "Simon Bolivar" dropped anchor in Cuba on Tuesday for a four-day official visit.

Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) welcomed the sailing ship and its 195-member crew with a 21-gun salute as it sailed into Havana's port.

Locals flocked to the port to watch the arrival of the ship bearing a giant Venezuelan flag, while Venezuela's charge d'affaires in Havana, Milagros Zambrano, and the deputy head of Cuba's Revolutionary Navy, Admiral Luis Reyes, were part of the official delegation to greet the vessel.

Speaking to the press, ship commander Admiral Alexander Rivero said the visit was both for educational exchanges and aimed to send a message of solidarity to the people of the world in times of political strife.

"It is an instructional journey of 6,705 nautical miles, which is made for the formation of sea cadets of the Bolivarian Navy, and for other parts of Latin America and the world," he said.

According to local media, the Venezuelan sailors will pay a courtesy visit to the head of Cuba's Revolutionary Navy, and tour places of historical and cultural interest, among other activities.

After its visit to Cuba, the ship will sail toward Saint Vincent and the Grenadines before returning to Venezuela on Aug. 24.

The ship was built in Spain and launched in 1979, 82.4 meters long and 4.4 meters wide. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)