Solidarity movements support Cuba in Panama

Solidarity movements support Cuba. Fraternal groups with Cuba in Panama called today for the unity of various collectives in defense of the island's sovereignty, in the face of threats from the current US administration. At a commemorative event for the 173rd anniversary of the birth of National Hero José Martí (1853-1895), held at the University of Panama and headed by the Caribbean nation's ambassador to the isthmus, Orestes Pérez, leaders of these groups highlighted the importance of cohesion in action against measures that intensify the criminal economic, commercial, and financial blockade, imposed by Washington over six decades ago. Speech by the Ambassador of Cuba in Panama, Orestes Pérez. Among a dozen speakers at the commemoration, which was also attended by the head of the Venezuelan consular office in Panama, Julio Chávez, the words firmness, dignity, and unbreakable resistance were frequently used, referring to the legacy of Martí, the most universal of Cubans, and the leader of the triumphant Revolution of 1959, Fidel Castro (1926-2016). On this very topic, Pérez recalled the importance that Martí gave to the unity of all Cubans, both in their homeland and in exile, to forge the struggle for final independence, which he defended, he said, at the cost of his own life, falling on May 19, 1895, in Dos Ríos, in the east of the Antillean country. "That unity that Martí achieved with Cubans in exile is the unity we want today with Cubans in Panama and around the world to defend the Revolution from US interests in an aggression," he emphasized. In this direction, the diplomat also urged permanent solidarity with Cuba, which is done with scarce resources, but with heart and soul, that of friends, social organizations, unions, various student groups, and young people, he explained. In turn, the Venezuelan consul highlighted that in over 60 years, Cuba has resisted and defeated the most powerful, genocidal, and criminal enemy known in the history of humanity. He also indicated that in Venezuela, despite the treacherous and cowardly attack in the early morning of last January 3 and the kidnapping of the constitutional president, Nicolás Maduro, and his companion Cilia Flores, the Bolivarian Revolution continues to govern the country and there is peace, which confirms that it is a defeat for the invaders. Among those who spoke at the event, organized by the Martiana Association of Cubans Residing in Panama, was Roberto León, who emphasized that imperialism in its blindness does not understand that in the face of blackmail, the Cuban people only have one stance, that of standing firm. He also stated that at these complex times, the Homeland is all of us, alluding to the need to strengthen ties with the largest of the Antilles and to use all tools such as word, denunciation, and solidarity to defend the truth about Cuba and demand an end to the economic war before the world. For her part, young lawyer Lilian Ruiz, on behalf of the National Coordination of Solidarity with Cuba, invited other political and social organizations to join this space for the self-determination of the peoples of Our Great Homeland, as the Apostle called it. Also speaking at the event were representatives of student organizations, unions, popular movements, and the University of Panama itself, who recalled that this year's celebrations for the centenary of Fidel Castro's birth will serve to reflect on these ideas of sovereignty and social justice. The evening, which featured performances by renowned musicians Adalberto Bazán and Bibi Halzen, took place at the bust of José Martí, inaugurated last August, a sculptural work by the Cuban artist residing in the isthmus, José Luis Colina, which features a plaque with the anthological phrase "Homeland is Humanity".