The Hatuey solidarity project, from the United States, delivered its eighth donation of cytostatic drugs and other medications for children with cancer, an effort that will continue according to its coordinator and dear friend, Gloria la Riva, who stated: “We are committed forever, Cuba will not give up, and neither will we.”
This new contribution from Hatuey (an acronym for Health Advocates in Truth, Unity and Empathy) consists primarily of cytostatic drugs, to which they added other medications such as advanced antibiotics and various hospital supplies, it was announced at a press conference.
Compared to the needs, this donation is a drop in the bucket, but it carries a lot of love, La Riva stated, and strongly denounced the US economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba, the inclusion of the Caribbean nation on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, as well as the recent US military aggression against Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
He reiterated his support for both peoples, assured that solidarity with Cuba will grow in the face of threats from US President Donald Trump, and affirmed that this policy will not succeed, referring to the demonstrations in more than 100 US cities.
Carlos Martínez Blanco, head of the cancer control section at the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, expressed his gratitude for the donation, made possible thanks to the effort and sacrifice of many collaborators and people of goodwill, he said, highlighting “this gesture of solidarity and courage in not being afraid of the US government’s policy of piracy.”
He called on professionals in the United States and developed nations to raise awareness and provide aid to poor countries to defend the human right to life, and he criticized the so-called medical-industrial financial capital that manufactures medicines at high prices accessible only to a portion of the population.
He advocated for a world of peace in which life can be fought for and reaffirmed: “We will never surrender, Cuba will continue fighting for the health of its people and will always have international solidarity.”
The press conference took place at the headquarters of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples and was attended by its president, Fernando González Llort, who warmly greeted the representatives of Hatuey, mostly young activists visiting for the first time and who would learn firsthand about Cuba’s resistance under imperialist pressure.
Among them were Andira Alves and Rachel Viqueires, who emphasized their commitment to Venezuela and Cuba and to social protests in the U.S., stressing that they will continue fighting against the blockade and U.S. imperialism.
The delegation will complete a program until the 31st with deliveries of medicines to the Juan Manuel Márquez pediatric hospital in the capital and the José Luis Miranda pediatric hospital in Villa Clara, attendance at the III José Martí International Colloquium for a Culture of Nature, in the Botanical Garden, and tours of places of interest.
IMAGE CREDIT: Iliana García Giraldino | Photo: @siempreconcuba
[ SOURCE: AGENCIA CUBANA DE NOTICIAS ]
