Southern Cross Brigade decries reinsertion of Cuba into U.S. list

HAVANA, Cuba, Jan 22 (ACN) The "Southern Cross" solidarity brigade, made up of Australians and New Zealanders, ended a visit to Cuba with a statement of support for the Revolution and against the new inclusion of the island in the list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism.

Its Final Declaration strongly condemns the decision made by Donald Trump, whose assumption of office "serves as a call to action for all those who oppose fascism and imperialism," the document states.

“Our solidarity movement commits itself firmly to doing everything possible to denounce the blockade and support the will of the Cuban people to decide their own future”, adds the text.

The 40-year-old contingent also pledged to expand the solidarity movement and counter all fake news and twisted information about Cuba.

Victor Gaute, vice-president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), thanked the Southern Cross brigadistas and assured them that “nothing and nobody will prevent us from continuing to defend the Revolution with the same energy and love it receives from its international supporters".

During their 18-day stay in Cuba, the 13 members of the Brigade did volunteer work, visited communities, workplaces and socio-cultural projects in several provinces, and expressed their satisfaction at meeting with the Cuban people, which they described as an example of struggle and resistance to the harsh conditions imposed by the U.S. policy of economic asphyxiation.