The members of the United States delegation that came aboard the ship Regla de Oro (Golden Rule), symbol of the pacifist organization Veterans for Peace, described the blockade as an act of terrorism against the Cuban people. They visit Havana from December 31, and participate in the activities for the 64th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution.
At the headquarters of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), the leaders of the group claimed to defy the laws of the genocidal economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the government of their country; They publicly expressed their solidarity with Cuba, and announced that they will return to Washington with the demand to put an end to the sanctions against the Greater Antilles.
Gerry Condon, coordinator of the group, affirmed that: "Cubans have the right to their sovereignty, to decide as a free country, determine their system and build socialism for the future." They also declared themselves against the unilateral list of countries sponsoring terrorism, in which Cuba is included.
He said that Americans want to be good neighbors, proclaim love and solidarity, something that was also reaffirmed by Kiko Johnston Kitazawa, the ship's captain. He recounted that the ship has been voyaging around the world since 1958, using its sails and carrying pacifist messages to stop nuclear tests and advanced military technology.
It is sponsored by the non-governmental organization Veterans for Peace, founded in 1985, which promotes alternatives to war and is made up of participants in different armed conflicts promoted by the White House. They want to convince all governments of the need to sign the International Convention against Nuclear Weapons.