More than 250 friends from the May Day Solidarity Brigades, from 20 nations, and from the Canadian Che Guevara Brigade, were received today by the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), which expressed its gratitude for their unwavering support in the face of imperial threats.
The welcoming ceremony for the enthusiastic activists, who traveled to the island to celebrate International Workers’ Day and express their support for the Cuban people resisting the economic and oil blockade and the aggression of the U.S. government, took place at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
Fernando González Llort, president of ICAP, expressed gratitude to the friends, telling them, “You arrive at a complex moment in Cuba’s history and in the world’s reality. Your presence is a powerful message of solidarity in support of the country’s defense and its right to independence.”
He emphasized: “We don’t want conflict; we want peace and tranquility to develop the country. But if we are attacked, we will defend ourselves, knowing we are accompanied by millions of people around the world who will stand with us.”
In his speech, which received a long ovation, he highlighted that the people are currently signing the commitment to defend the Homeland, “and you are also signing that commitment with your presence, demonstrating that Cuba is not alone.”
Fernando Gonzalez also greeted the brigadistas. Yasel Ramos, deputy director of the CIGB, evoked the genius of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, founder of the center in 1986, recalling that five years earlier Cuba produced interferons for the first time, something that was then only beginning to be achieved in developed countries.
In the initial stages of the research process, Cuba lacked access to reagents due to the blockade, but these were obtained thanks to solidarity, he emphasized, reiterating his welcome to the brigade members and describing their visit as a gift to the CIGB on its 40th anniversary, coinciding with Fidel Castro’s centennial.
During the event, Dominga Flores (Puerto Rico) and Ricardo Haesbaert (Brazil) were presented with the ICAP 65th Anniversary Seal, awarded to outstanding organizations for their campaigns to donate solar panels to the Julio Antonio Mella Camp in Caimito, such as the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Solidarity with Cuba and Just Causes.
The brigade members will participate in the May Day celebrations and international events held on the date, joining hundreds of friends from other nations who will share in the festivities on the island.
IMAGE CREDIT: Iliana García Giraldino | Photo: @siempreconcuba
[ SOURCE: AGENCIA CUBANA DE NOTICIAS ]
