Wingate University - Main
MyGate
Index
Search
Major in a Great Life
Academics
Admissions
Athletics
Alumni & Friends
Campus Life
About Wingate
Give Now
Parents
About Wingate
Campus Map
History
Mission
Media
Batte Center
WU Facts
Wingate Faces
News
Calendar
Directions and Map
Speaker Bureau
Meet our President
Employment at Wingate
Media Library
Commencement
News
Back to News Articles
Cuban Diplomat Speaks at Wingate University
10/5/2012
Wingate, N.C. -- On October 4, José (Pepe) Raúl Viera Linares presented a lecture on the evolving process of reform in Cuba. Viera served as First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1981 to 1990 and represented Cuba at high level international conferences. He received a law degree from Havana University, a Certificate of English studies at Louisiana State University, and a Certificate of Studies of Property Rights in Cuba from the Union of Cuban Lawyers.
After the revolution, Viera served as a voluntary teacher with the Institute of Agrarian Reform and as manager of a sugar mill. His diplomatic career included postings in Spain, Honduras, Chile, Bolivia, Counselor at the Cuban Mission to the UN (1966-1970), and Deputy Minister in charge of International Organizations. He served as legal adviser to three state companies, concluding his professional work with Inmobilaria del Tourismo (Tourism Real Estate) from 1998 to 2010. Additionally, Viera and his wife Maria Cecilia Bermudez have translated into Spanish for publication in Cuba two books by Dr. Louis A. Perez, Jr. of the University of North Carolina. In his talk he shared his entirely personal perspective on Cuba today, the history of his generation, and the impact of US policy today. Viera and his wife currently live in Havana.