At 65 Years of Existence, ICAP Not Only Endures But Also Renews Its Work of Love

In words marked by reflection, gratitude, and revolutionary firmness, the President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), Fernando González Llort, stated this Monday afternoon that this emblematic entity, 65 years after its birth, is proof that, as José Martí said, great things cannot be done without great friends.

The Hero of the Republic of Cuba added that "those present here, and those who have historically accompanied Cuba from the five continents, are that proof." He spoke at the Political Act for the 65th anniversary of ICAP, which took place at the Institute's headquarters and was attended by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

The afternoon event opened with a performance by La Colmenita, directed by Tim Cremata. Also in attendance were the Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Roberto Morales Ojeda, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla—both members of the Political Bureau—as well as the head of the Central Committee's International Relations Department, Emilio Lozada García, and other leaders.

During the initial moments of the Political Act, the legacy of Fidel Castro, the founding architect of the Institute, was remembered. ICAP was born to build bridges of solidarity between nations and to defend humanity's most just causes.

A particularly moving moment was the recognition of Institute workers who have dedicated themselves to this vortex of solidarity for more than 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, and over 15 years. President Díaz-Canel presented the ICAP 65th Anniversary Seal to about twenty organizations and personalities, present or represented at the Act, who have been unwavering in their defense of the largest Antillean island.

The solidarity entities distinguished with the Seal included, among others, the National Italy-Cuba Friendship Association (Italy); the Network of Solidarity with Cuba (Germany); the José Martí Cultural Association of Solidarity with Cuba (Greece); the Danish-Cuban Friendship Association (Denmark); and MediCuba Europa, a network of Associations and Non-Governmental Development Organizations (NGDOs) from thirteen European countries.

Also receiving the ICAP 65th Anniversary Seal were the International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity of the Peoples; the Latin American and Caribbean Continental Network of Solidarity with Cuba and Just Causes; the Brazilian Movement of Solidarity with Cuba; the Venezuela-Cuba Friendship and Mutual Solidarity Movement; the Colombian Movement of Solidarity with Cuba; the Japan-Cuba Friendship Association; and the Ocean Sur Publishing House from Australia.

Also distinguished were Rosemarie Mealy, Afro-American activist and academic, author of the book Memories of an Encounter: Fidel and Malcolm X; Michel Frank, for his trajectory in the Solidarity Movement with Cuba; and Edward Hasse, for his work with the Pastors for Peace Caravans.

On this list of fellowship, also recognized with the Seal, were the United States Solidarity Network; the leadership of the Venceremos Brigade; the Antonio Maceo Brigade; the José Martí Cultural Association; and Marcapasos Cuba.

Delivering the main address at the Political Act, Fernando González Llort stated: "We meet today, accompanied by 240 friends from 32 countries, with hearts full of pride, and also commitment, to celebrate the 65 years of life of an institution born from the vision of a giant, our Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, to whom we pay permanent tribute."

The President of ICAP stated that, 65 years after that December 30, 1960, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples not only endures but renews itself in fulfilling the very mission for which it was conceived: to build bridges, unite wills, and cultivate peace, friendship, and solidarity among peoples.

González Llort affirmed that, in all these years, "ICAP has been a witness and active participant in the history of the Cuban Revolution." It has done so, he said, while receiving "people from all latitudes, interested in knowing the transformations driven by our revolutionary process."

The Hero of the Republic of Cuba highlighted that the solidarity movement has grown immensely during the most difficult times; and he emphasized: "The complex current situation makes it necessary to multiply the pace and urgency of our work."

He also denounced that, "in recent years, we have faced unprecedented global challenges. The economic war against Cuba has reached extreme levels, with the attempt to suffocate our economy becoming increasingly cruel and inhumane. The consequences of that criminal, immoral, and unjust blockade have been intensified with Cuba's arbitrary inclusion on the State Department's unilateral list of countries that supposedly sponsor terrorism."

To this, he added that the sworn enemies of the Revolution accompany every attempt at economic suffocation with "a brutal media campaign against our country."

"Faced with this reality," he said, "we have witnessed the permanent mobilization of the worldwide solidarity movement with Cuba, which responds with concrete and diverse actions, defending our truth from the provocations of a counterrevolution paid for by the United States government."

"Together, we will continue in the struggle against this hostile policy towards Cuba."

Fernando stressed that, "at ICAP, we do not see ourselves as an institution: we see ourselves as a trench of ideas, as a workshop of friendship, as a piece in the strategy for the defense of the Revolution."

"We owe this, first and foremost, to its collective of workers, those currently active, and to those who have contributed and added to ICAP since its foundation and have been the protagonists of its history, people of strong convictions, dedicated to fulfilling their mission, examples of resilience, and above all of a profound humanism that is the seal of the Cuban Revolution."

Regarding the immediate future, the President of ICAP affirmed: *"Our efforts are concentrated on the year 2026. It will be a year of tribute and reaffirmation, as we will celebrate the centenary of the birth of the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz. Inspired by his legacy, our path will be guided by the commitment to honor his memory, turning each international solidarity brigade with Cuba, each solidarity meeting, and each action into a living tribute to his anti-imperialist, internationalist, and humanist thought."*

Fernando González assessed that, 65 years later, a "worldwide garden of solidarity, love, and friendship towards Cuba has been created, which flourishes and is fertilized by more than 1,900 solidarity organizations in 151 countries across five continents."

With emphasis, he told those present on an emotional afternoon: "May in the next 65 years, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples continue to be a temple of love for Cuba, extending a hand to those in need, and defending just causes."