Solidarity is one of the most honorable values any country can hold, a way to come together with the purpose of achieving the wellbeing our people and workers need.

With these words, Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, secretary general of the Federation of Cuban Workers and a member of the Communist Party of Cuba’s Political Bureau, opened the International Conference on Solidarity with Cuba, Latin America and the Caribbean, which took place yesterday, May 2, in Havana’s Convention Center, with participants from 34 countries.

Also addressing the event were Salvador Valdés Mesa, member of the Political Bureau and a Council of State vice-president; Kenia Serrano Puig, president of the Cuban Friendship Institute (ICAP); and Ana Teresita González Fraga, deputy minister of Foreign Relations.

Kenia Serrano noted that solidarity with Cuba reached a high point in the struggle to free the Cuban Five, unjustly imprisoned in the United States, and called on participants to redouble efforts to demand an end to the blockade and the return of territory illegally occupied by the Guantánamo Naval Base.

She reaffirmed that Cuba will continue to offer its solidarity to sister countries in the region facing attacks, especially Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador and Bolivia.

González Fraga reported on the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with the U.S., the Marshall Islands, Palau and Micronesia, and noted that more than 1,950 solidarity with Cuba organizations in 153 countries exist, to which, she said, “our country offers infinite gratitude,” while emphasizing, “We continue to need your support in today’s battles.”