Veterans For Peace, a national organization with 150 chapters across the United States, expressed its support for Cuba during its national convention held in Kansas City, Missouri.

According to a press release, the gathering featured several panel discussions, including one focused on Latin America. Participant Gerry Condon—former president of Veterans For Peace and current member of its board of directors—spoke about the multiple solidarity delegations organized to visit Nicaragua. Daniel Kovalik, author of the book The Plot to Overthrow Venezuela, analyzed the history of U.S. sanctions, regime-change attempts, and coups promoted by the U.S. government against the late Bolivian leader Hugo Chávez, as well as the recent abduction of constitutional president Nicolás Maduro on January 3.

For his part, Mark Friedman, an activist with the Hands Off Cuba committee, addressed the increasing hostility of the Donald Trump administration toward Cuba and threats of military aggression against the island.

Friedman called for active solidarity, including the campaign by Global Health Partners to supply medicines to the beleaguered Caribbean nation, while condemning Washington's attempts to criminalize those engaging in solidarity work.

In an official statement, Veterans For Peace condemned the recent report issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which accuses Cuba of interfering in U.S. internal affairs.

The text emphasized that it is the United States that has waged an economic war against Cuba for over six decades through a blockade that prevents normal relations with the North American nation and other countries worldwide. This blockade hinders the island's development and denies economic progress, as well as access to essential medicines and goods.

The statement further rejected "the sudden return of the Trump administration to 'anti-communism' as a means to undermine the credibility of its political opponents... If this is an attempt to intimidate those organizing for a just and peaceful world, it will not work," the document stated.

During the event, Veterans For Peace reaffirmed its "solidarity with Cuba and with all those fighting for human rights and democracy in the United States."

One of the highlighted moments of the convention was the participation of a large Vietnamese delegation, led by Dr. Nguyen Hong Son, president of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin.

Dr. Son explained in a subsequent interview that Cuba and Vietnam share a long history of solidarity. "We are very proud of that history. Cuba has always stood on Vietnam's side whenever needed. We stand ready to support Cuba," he noted, recalling that his country votes annually at the UN against the U.S. blockade of the island nation.

The conference—which also voiced support for the struggle of the Palestinian people and opposed aggressive U.S. immigration policies—was attended by approximately 200 people, primarily combat veterans and nursing personnel from the Vietnam War.

The activist group continues its efforts to secure adequate funding for Veterans Affairs hospitals and healthcare coverage to treat the effects of Agent Orange on thousands of U.S. service members.

Simultaneously, they campaign for the U.S. government to fund medical treatment for the two million Vietnamese citizens still suffering the consequences of the chemical herbicide and defoliant—a highly toxic compound associated with severe impacts on human health and the environment—used by the Pentagon during the Vietnam War.