By María Josefina Arce

Every year, friends from all over the world travel to Cuba to share with the Cuban people the festivities for International Workers' Day, learn first-hand about the reality of our country, distorted by the enemies of the revolution, and provide their support in economic activities. .

And as usual, they participate in the International Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba, which on this occasion was held in the western province of Artemisa and Havana, where it closes its doors today at the Convention Palace.

At the center of the event, in which more than 1,000 delegates and guests participate, is the condemnation of the genocidal economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed more than six decades ago by the United States, and intensified with more than 200 measures during the COVID-19 pandemic by then-President Donald Trump.

And to learn first-hand about the obstacles that the economic blockade imposes on the acquisition of necessary supplies and equipment, the members of the solidarity groups visited work centers in both territories, where they exchanged with their workers.

The friends of the Cuban people were able to learn about the limitations related to access to financing sources, through entities that respond to the hostile US policy.

This is also an opportunity to denounce the unjust inclusion of Cuba by the United States in the arbitrary list of countries supposedly sponsoring terrorism, because as the participants in the meeting have stated, while Washington sends soldiers to other territories, Cuba sends doctors for Save lives.

The event in Havana, an indisputable show of solidarity with the Caribbean nation, joins those registered in various parts of the world, including the United States, from where countless gestures of support come to the Cuban people.

The United States-Cuba Friendship Caravan, of the ecumenical organization Pastors for Peace, is a clear example. In addition to collecting donations for the Cuban people, its participants on a tour of American cities make known the truth about Cuba and the damage caused by the criminal blockade, which they bravely challenge every year since 1992 on their trip to our country.

There are countless examples that cover the entire world geography. There is the constant support and message of encouragement that comes to us from the Cuba Cooperation France Association and the Puentes de Amor project, by the Cuban-American professor Carlos Lazo.

The economic blockade is repudiated by the international community, as evidenced by the vote each year at the UN on the Cuban draft resolution on the need to end this hostile policy.

Cuba is not alone in its struggle to continue building its social justice project, even in the midst of adverse conditions. There are many people who love peace, as has been demonstrated once again, who accompany the Cuban people every day, who appreciate so much solidarity and love.