Brasilia, July 18 (PL-RHC)-- The national president of the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB), Deputy Luciana Santos, will begin a four-day visit to Havana on Saturday to strengthen relations with the Communist Party of Cuba.

This is a trip to exchange ideas and update our struggle over the extended global economic crisis and the socialist option that remains, Santos told Prensa Latina news agency. On her first visit to Havana after her recent election as the highest representative of the PCdoB, the federal lawmaker also expressed great admiration for the strength and will to fight of the Cuban people.

“I have been to Cuba several times, in 1995, 1998 and 2002 and in all these trips you perceive the difficulties faced by the nation as a result of the collapse of the socialist bloc in Europe, led by the Soviets, but I has greatly impressed by the courage and strength of its inhabitants,” she said.
Cubans have a high level of political consciousness and, despite the lack of many mineral resources, Cuba does have health indicators and exhibits higher education developed nations, she observed.

Santos said that resistance and courage was precisely what prompted President Barack Obama to open the dialogue with Cuba and decide to restore diplomatic relations.

'They (the United States) had to give up, because they were defeated in their claim to destroy the Revolution', she stressed noting the involvement of many, including Pope Francisco, in the process of rapprochement between Washington and Havana.

Referring to the international stage, Santos envisioned changes to strengthening the BRICS group, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and the creation of the Development Bank of the bloc of emerging nations.

The geopolitical articulation of these countries is contrary to the hegemony of the world's greatest power, which is crucial to guarantee the sovereignty and independence of peoples, the Brazilian federal deputy said.