CSC sends condolences on passing of José Agustín Fernández de Cossío Rodríguez, prominent Cuban diplomat and former Ambassador to the UK
Campaign News | Wednesday, 8 March 2023
José Agustín Fernández de Cossío Rodríguez, pictured with former RMT leader Bob Crow at a reception in 2005
The Cuba Solidarity Campaign was saddened to hear of the death of Cuban diplomat José Agustín Fernández de Cossío Rodríguez who died on 7 March aged 89.
In his youth, Fernández de Cossío Rodríguez had been involved in the struggle against the Batista dictatorship had suffered imprisonment and torture as student leader. After the Revolution he was a founder of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held positions in the institution as well as serving as Ambassador to Canada, Mexico, Japan and the UK. In recent years he worked as a professor at the “Raúl Roa García” Higher Institute of International Relations, using his vast experience to help train a new generation of Cuban diplomats.
He is fondly remembered by friends and Britain and CSC with whom he worked closely while in the country from 2002-2006. CSC director Rob Miller said:
“Jose Fernandez was a great friend, a wonderful diplomat and ambassador of Cuba. His meticulous attention to detail and his patience and grace with which he conducted his work shone through. We worked closely with him during his posting to London and on behalf of us all in the Cuba Solidarity Campaign we would like to pass on our deepest condolences to all his family and friends.”
