Puerto Rican Friends Begin Program in Cuba

 

HAVANA, Cuba, Apr 18 (ACN) The 34th edition of the Puerto Rican solidarity brigade Juan Rius Rivera began its program in Cuba this Thursday, where it will participate in the May Day parade at Plaza de la Revolución.

Republic Heroes Fernando González Llort, President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), and Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, National Coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), led the welcome for the 35 brigade members.

Hernández Nordelo highlighted the significance of their presence as U.S. coercive measures against Cuba intensify in a futile attempt to subdue the Cuban people.

"The May Day parade will be massive, historic. Cubans will reaffirm that we will not surrender, and we thank you for standing with our people," he told the brigade members.

During the gathering at Casa de la Amistad, warm greetings were sent to brigade coordinator Milagros Rivera, who was unable to travel this time due to unforeseen circumstances.

Maribel Morales, speaking on behalf of the activists, stated: "We reaffirm our support for Cuba. Our two peoples, united, will continue our shared history because solidarity knows no barriers."

The 15-day visit will include celebrations of the Bay of Pigs victory (1961) and the Vietnamese triumph over U.S. imperialism (1975). The activists will also visit María la Gorda in Pinar del Río, where General Juan Rius Rivera—the highest-ranking Puerto Rican officer in Cuba’s Liberation Army—landed in 1896.