Cuba to Advocate for End of Blockade at Civil Society Forum in Colombia

The Cuban delegation attending the Latin America and Caribbean-European Union Civil Society Forum, held here, will defend the right to live without coercive measures, one of its members stated today.

Norma Goicochea, President of the Cuban United Nations Association (ACNU), told Prensa Latina that the representatives from the Caribbean nation will advocate for an end to the blockade imposed by the United States and will call for respect for the rights of the Cuban family, as well as all members of the population.

She added that the delegates will also denounce Cuba's inclusion on the list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism and will seek solidarity for the removal of the Caribbean territory from that designation, which she labeled as illegal.

The official affirmed that they are attending the meeting with the objective of establishing links and continuing to strengthen cooperation with civil society organizations from Latin America and Europe, "because there are many common points on which we can work."

"We also believe that the forum should include pronouncements that take into account the realities experienced by our regions," she pointed out.

Half a dozen delegates are attending the event representing the Cuban Society of Agricultural and Forestry Technicians, the coordinator of the Network of Men who have Sex with Men, a member of the secretariat of the National Association of the Blind, and a representative from the Martin Luther King Center.

Goicochea acknowledged that while it is a small group, it reflects the Cuban citizenry, which she emphasized is "plural, diverse, committed to the national project, and which acts under Article 1 of the Constitution: 'with all and for the good of all.'"

Colombian Chancellor Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio led the opening session of the Latin America and Caribbean-European Union Civil Society Forum today, a space aimed at strengthening citizen participation in global decisions.

The meeting, which concludes tomorrow and is being held at the Irotama Hotel, serves as a dialogue space prior to the official IV CELAC-EU Summit, which will take place this coming Sunday, with the attendance of 62 delegations representing both blocs.

Representatives from indigenous peoples, youth organizations, feminist movements, LGBTQ+ community activists, Afro-descendant leaders, as well as networks, platforms, and non-governmental organizations are convened for this civil society meeting.

It was reported that participants will capture their conclusions in a Joint Civil Society Declaration, which will be presented to the Heads of State and Government during the IV CELAC-EU Summit.