In Colombia, Solidarity and Affection for Cuba

SANTA MARTA, Colombia.—As part of his activities in this Colombian city, where he will participate in the IV Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union, Salvador Valdés Mesa, a member of the Political Bureau and Vice President of the Republic, held an emotional meeting this Saturday with representatives of solidarity organizations and friends of Cuba.

Attendees included senators, congress members, officials, businesspeople, and representatives from solidarity groups and indigenous youth movements. They came to express gratitude for the example and friendship offered for decades by the largest of the Antilles.

Speaking at the meeting, Julián Gallo, a senator for the Comunes Party, expressed on behalf of the participants their gratitude to the Cuban authorities and people for hosting the peace agreement signing process that made the historic document possible.

Gabriel Becerra, from the Cuba friendship group in the Colombian Congress, conveyed greetings from the Historic Pact party and particularly from President Gustavo Petro.

For his part, Juan Coneo, from the Caribbean House of the Colombian Movement of Solidarity with Cuba, shared his experiences as a member of a friendship brigade that traveled to Havana. He assured that his mission, and that of other young people who accompanied him, is now "to convey the truth about Cuba to counter the discredit campaigns generated from the United States and other Western countries through the press, and fundamentally on social networks."

Likewise, Viviana Mejías, coordinator of the Fidel Castro Ruz Chair, referred to how Colombians are preparing to commemorate the centenary of the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution.

Solidarity with the Cuban territories devastated by Hurricane Melissa just days ago was voiced by Rodrigo Granda, a member of the Commission for Monitoring, Promotion, and Verification of the Implementation of the Peace Agreement.

Congresswoman Carmen Ramírez of the Humane Colombia Party, on the other hand, addressed the role of indigenous peoples in the solidarity movement with Cuba.

Addressing those present, Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa thanked the warm welcome his delegation received in Colombia. In his remarks, he conveyed greetings from the Cuban government and people, and especially from President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. He also updated them on the significant damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in the eastern region of the country and the progress of recovery efforts.

Valdés Mesa also addressed the complex scenario the Caribbean nation is experiencing today, aggravated by the tightening of the U.S. blockade and the strategy designed to overcome these adversities.

The Vice President highlighted and thanked the solidarity received by Cuba from its sister nation, Colombia. To the participants, he reaffirmed the conviction "that Cuba will know how to overcome the enormous obstacles it faces," and for this, it has the support of Colombians.