The 24th South American Solidarity with Cuba Brigade, which for the last 10 years has been traveling to the country, is visiting the island (January 23-February 4), to learn about Cuba's reality and strengthen ties of friendship. Participants undertake a program of activities organized by the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).
On January 24, the solidarity contingent, composed of over 160 brigade members, celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp, located in the municipality of Caimito, in the western province of Artemisa.
The group also participated in the annual March of the Torches, January 27, on the eve of the 164th anniversary of the birth of Cuba’s National Hero, José Martí (Havana, January 28, 1853 - Dos Ríos, May 19, 1895), leader of the country’s independence struggle against Spain during the late 19th century.
The brigade’s schedule of activities also includes conferences on the updating of Cuba’s socio-economic model; Latin American and Caribbean integration, and above all the process toward the normalization of relations between the island and the United States; as well as visits to the provinces of Villa Clara and Sancti Spíritus, in the center of the island.
Speaking to Granma International, 25-year-old Law student, Gastón Meriño who lives in Santiago del Estero province, Argentina, noted that his delegation includes around 60 people from six regions of the country. He noted that before traveling to the Caribbean island, the group organized various events in order to better understand the current situation in Latin America and the role of the Cuban Revolution within this context.
He added that “We have been undertaking two activities a month since last August to exchange ideas, learn about Cuba’s history and Latin American leaders. We’ve had four intense months of meetings and encounters. Our main aim here is to contribute through our personal efforts to Cuba’s social development.”
Gastón plans to take various experiences back with him, and is interested in the concept of Revolution as defined by Cuban leader Fidel Castro Ruz; important for movements struggling against neoliberal governments currently in power. “We all need to understand the new mechanisms of oppression that have been established and to mobilize against them,” he added.
Alexandra Kosinski de Oliveira, from Brazil, noted that given a limited number of spaces, the solidarity groups in her country had to undertake a selection process from among the many people wanting to participate in the brigade.
“Our colleagues,” stated Kosinski de Oliveira, also an elementary school teacher, “organize various meetings to explain the work of the Cuba Solidarity Association and offer information on the country’s history. After signing up to the brigade through the different solidarity groups, those interested are interviewed and we ask them why they want to visit the country. We make it clear that we come here to perform voluntary work in agriculture and other important tasks.”
She emphasized that the main aim of the over 70 members of the Brazilian delegation is to meet and speak to the Cuban people, get a feel for the country’s culture and learn about its reality.
They also intend to return to their countries motivated to continue the emancipatory process underway in Latin America, and struggle for true democracy, noted Kosinski de Oliveira
Meanwhile, Chilean sisters Karina, Yuli and Sofía Fica, always open to hearing the opinions of others, are eager to speak with other members of the brigade in order to learn about the situation in their countries, and enjoy Cuban culture in all its manifestations.
This sentiment is shared by Carlos Morgado González, also from Chile, who has participated in the South American Brigade seven times and stated that he will continue to do so, as in his opinion Cuba is the ideal place to strengthen his political consciousness in order to defend workers against capitalist exploitation.
He speaks passionately about Fidel Castro Ruz, who he met in 1971, when the leader of the Cuban Revolution visited Chile, invited by then President Salvador Allende. At that time, Morgado González was completing his military service and was one of the young soldiers posted on the guard of honor as Fidel passed by, making eye contact with the young Chilean.
“That’s where my love for Cuba was born,” the mechanical technician stated, noting that above all he wants to encourage more people to visit the island and experience the spirit of a society designed and constructed for the well-being of the people.
