Brazilian president condemns blockade imposed by U.S. government on Cuba

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reiterated on Monday his condemnation of the blockade imposed by the U.S. government on Cuba, after signing several agreements in Argentina.

I hope that soon this island can return to a process of normality and that the siege that has lasted more than 60 years, without need, will end, said the president, together with his local counterpart, Alberto Fernandez, on the eve of the celebration here of the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

"Because Cubans do not want to create the Brazilian model, they do not want to copy the U.S. model, they want to make their model," the head of state stressed in response to a question from the press.

Therefore, Brazil and CELAC countries should treat Venezuela and Cuba with great affection, emphasizing the leader of the Workers' Party.

We will help them solve their problems doing whatever we can, he remarked. I am convinced that CELAC will be something important for the region, he added.

Earlier, he described this as an extraordinary space for people to discuss, learn and teach, "so that others can enjoy the good things we do and solve conflicts".

It is the first forum among Latin American and Caribbean nations, without the United States and Canada, he recalled.

Lula said he was proud to have participated in the construction of this forum and also because Cubans are participating (Source: Prensa Latina).