The Jose Marti European Brigade Begins Activities in Cuba

The 45th Contingent of the Jose Marti European Brigade, composed of more than 130 representatives of 19 nations of that part of the world, began their activities on Monday with the laying of a wreath to Cuba's National Hero.

From different associations of solidarity with Cuba, the Brigade was officially received at the Jose Marti Memorial in this capital by executives of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).

In welcoming, Elio Gamez, First Vice-president of ICAP, stressed the importance of the visit of this broad movement of friendship after the release of the Cuban Five, who served unjust sentences in US jails.

He asserted that Rene Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino, Fernando Gonzalez and Antonio Guerrero returned to their country thanks also to the huge campaign of solidarity from friends around the world.

Gamez also expressed his gratitude for the support of different groups of friendship in the struggle against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. on Cuba for over half a century and for the work carried out to spread in other countries the truth about Cuban reality.

On behalf of the brigade, Yolanda Garcia, of Spain, said that this visit takes place in a very important year for Cuba, and motivates the desire to know, first hand, the reality of the country, its people, and successes the Revolution.

Among activities planned by the Brigade until February 21we find the celebration of an International Day against the Blockade, as well as visits to community projects in neighborhoods of the capital, agricultural work, tours of locations in Artemisa and exchanges with authorities of the province.

Mostly made up of youngsters, the current group consists of activists from Spain, Greece, England, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Russia and other countries of Europe.