Representatives of solidarity organizations in California reiterated the continuity of their struggle against the US blockade of Cuba and in the search for the normal relations that should exist today between the two countries.
"It was an honor and a joy to join the Sanctuary of Hope and the Hands off Cuba Committee in Los Angeles to receive Ambassador Lianys Torres", Reverend Kelvin Sauls told Prensa Latina.
During the meeting, held in the south of the Californian city, attendees like Sauls listened to the assessments of Torres, head of the Cuban mission in the United States, who spoke about the current situation in her nation and the permanent battle against Washington's unilateral siege.
She also argued about the need to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of alleged terrorist-sponsoring nations.
The diplomat shared with those present the devastating consequences of the blockade and the arbitrary inclusion of Cuba on that list on the people of the island.
In the midst of dark and difficult times, your support and solidarity have been a source of light, oxygen and fuel that keeps us going forward, Torres said, referring to those in this country who stand by Cuba's side.
Torres said that the U.S. government made a multi-million dollar investment in the propaganda machine against Cuba and in this context she recalled the importance of "coming and seeing our beautiful people and our culture" and "going back and telling the truth about who we are as neighbors".
The West Indian representative emphasized the hope of her people, resistance and resilience.
In Los Angeles, Torres also visited with writer, journalist and long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad, who on September 2, 2013, on her fifth attempt, swam 177 kilometers from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Florida.
A video posted by Nyad on Instagram shows moments of that encounter. With the music of the popular Cuban orchestra Los Van Van in the background, Torres reiterates the importance of good relations between the United States and Cuba as neighboring countries.
Nyad anticipated that in December of this year he will participate in the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema.
During her stay, among other meetings, the Cuban diplomat spoke with leaders of the Democratic Socialists of America, who in a message published on X expressed their solidarity with the people of Cuba and called for no more blockade.