Cuba Solidarity Movement is Growing

Havana, Mar 4. -Strengthening and increasing the international Cuba solidarity movement is one of the goals on the agenda of Cuban authorities and activists that promote friendship.

Support for the Cuban people and its revolutionary process, which began on January 1, 1959 will keep growing this year, said Kenia Serrano, president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).

Important and historic Cuba solidarity groups will visit the island in 2011, and working relations will be reinforced with international organizations and Cuban residents abroad, Serrano said at a meeting with local leaders and the press.

She highlighted the arrival on Apr. 25 of the May Day Brigade, whose main interest is attending the May Day celebrations on the island.

Cuba will also welcome the 20th Juan Rius Rivera Brigade from Puerto Rico, the 44th Venceremos Brigade, and the 22nd USA-Cuba Friendship Caravan, she commented.

The last two groups are the only ones that keep challenging the economic, commercial, and financial blockade the United States has imposed on Cuba for 50 years, Serrano stressed.

In addition, the call for the 7th International Meeting to Free the Five, in solidarity with the five Cuban anti-terrorists imprisoned in the United States, will be launched on Mar. 5, and the event will be held in November at its traditional venue in Holguin province, she said.

At the close of 2010 a total of 2,133 Cuba friendship groups existed in 152 countries, and 6,683 solidarity events were held, according to Serrano. (Prensa Latina)