The statement came as part of the speech delivered by the parliamentarian, Opposition Leader and Political Leader of the Labor Party of Saint Lucia (SLP), Philip J. Pierre, during the open session of the annual Conference of Delegates of that political organization, which took place on October 8, 2017, in the district of Vieux Fort South. Pierre called the blockade a cruel policy and called for its elimination. He wished the rapid recovery of Cuba after the passage of Hurricane Irma. The Cuban Ambassador, Jorge Soberon, participated in the event to which he was invited by the Leader of the SLP. The activity also recognized the contribution to that Party of the former Labor leader, Kenny Anthony, current parliamentarian for the district in which the Conference took place, which included images of his friendly relationship with the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.
