Different political forces in India, led by the National Cuba Solidarity Committee, organized a solidarity meeting to demand the immediate exclusion of Cuba from the spurious list of alleged State sponsors of terrorism, on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the attacks on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks and the 65th anniversary of Che's visit to India.
The event was chaired by Abel Aballe Despaigne, chargé d'affaires a. i. of the Cuban Embassy; Guillaume Long, former foreign minister of Ecuador; Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist); Pallab Sengupta, member of the National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India and president of the World Peace Council; G. Devarajan, general secretary of the All India Forward Bloc Party; Rajiv Dimari, member of the Central Committee of the CPI(ML) Liberation and general secretary of the Indian National Trade Union Congress; Ramit Singh, president of the UNESCO International José Martí Prize; Dev Roye, assistant general secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions; and Arun Kumar, member of the leadership of the National Cuba Solidarity Committee and general secretary of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organization (AIPSO). Also present were diplomatic representatives from Venezuela, Syria, Seychelles, Russia, Colombia and Algeria; and other members of the solidarity movement, including teachers, youth and students.
The meeting became a space for the defense of the Cuban Revolution and its achievements during more than sixty years of development of an economic and socialist social project, despite the intensification of the economic, commercial and financial blockade of the U.S. government against the Cuban people and the unjust inclusion of Cuba in the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The participants unanimously approved a Resolution, which reiterated their solidarity with the Cuban people and demanded the immediate removal of Cuba from the list of alleged State Sponsors of Terrorism.
Likewise, Guillaume Long, on behalf of the Progressive International, asked Indian parliamentarians and legal and humanitarian organizations to join the global call by signing a petition to Joe Biden to remove Cuba from the List.
The party leaders highlighted the historical significance of the events of July 26, led by Fidel Castro, and agreed that Cuba continues to inspire progressive movements around the world. They also ratified the unchanging bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two peoples and reiterated their support and backing for the Cuban Revolution.
For his part, the Cuban diplomat highlighted the severe damage caused by the blockade and the current validity of the reinforcement measures, as well as the permanence of Cuba on the spurious list of states that supposedly sponsor terrorism. He expressed his gratitude for the various expressions of solidarity and support of the Indian people in our struggle, which continue to strengthen the bonds of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between both peoples.
