Diaz-Canel is attending a BRICS summit for the second time as head of State. The first one was in Johannesburg, South Africa, as president of the G77+China.

The Cuban president came accompanied by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez; Emilio Lozada, head of the International Relations Department of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC)’s Central Committee; and other authorities and officials from the Cuban Foreign Ministry.

Diplomatic circles expressed that Diaz-Canel will participate in two panels, and his presence represents an opportunity to meet with heads of different delegations from the bloc’s member and partner countries, as well as from international organizations.

The sources also stated that the BRICS forum provides a time to denounce the blockade and the aggressive policy of the United States government against the island.

Under Brazil’s presidency, the BRICS, a group comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, announced that Cuba and eight other nations joined this bloc as partners in January 2025.

These countries became part of the alliance with a status lower than that of full members, but with the possibility of participating in summits and thematic meetings.

Along with Cuba, the following countries, Belarus, Nigeria, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, joined the BRICS as partners.

The group originally consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, and China and had the acronym BRIC. It included South Africa as of 2010, and was renamed BRICS.

Negotiations for the group’s expansion began in 2023.

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