U.S. Mayors Motivated by Exercise of Government in Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, May 26 (acn) A delegation of the Conference of U.S. Mayors visiting Cuba expressed its interest on Thursday in this capital on the functioning and experiences of the Cuban political system, in particular its governance structure and the exercise of the People's Power from the grass roots.

Led by Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Mayor of Baltimore and president of the organization, the group met with members of Parliament, presidents of provincial and municipal governments and directors of health, education and transport of Havana and Mayabeque.
During the meeting, the visitors learned details related to the emergence of the People's Power, an essential part of the Cuban political system that promotes the participation of the people and society as a whole in decision-making.
Tamara Valido, president of the Assembly of the People's Power in Mayabeque, told the delegation about the division of management functions of the organ she directs and of the Board of Administration in the youngest Cuban province, established in January 2011.
Valido argued that the new structure has allowed a greater approach to the grass roots, and a better exercise of control to state companies and organizations, as well as to the various forms of self-employment.
The official emphasized Cuba's respect towards the U.S. people, while motivated visitors to give congressional representatives of the northern country the message of lifting the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by Washington to the Caribbean country half a century ago.
On behalf of the Conference of Mayors, an organization representing nearly 1,500 U.S. cities, Rawlings-Blake thanked Cubans for their hospitality, adding that she was impressed by the wide representation of women in Parliament.
Mitchell J. Landrieu, mayor of New Orleans and second Vice-president of the organization, referred to the cultural ties uniting the two peoples, and expressed his willingness carry to his country the message of Cuba on the elimination of the unilateral siege.
As part of its work program in the Caribbean nation, the delegation will visit the Mariel Special Development Zone and the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
This is the first delegation of the U.S. Conference of Mayors traveling to Cuba since 1978, when 40 members of this organization came to Havana on an official visit after the triumph of the Revolution.