Canberra, 16 October 2022- The 37th National Consultation of the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society (ACFS) was held in Canberra on 15 and 16 October 2022, with the participation of the Cuban Ambassador, Ariel Lorenzo Rodríguez.
The Consultation, after two years without being held in person, had a broad agenda where the main activities developed in recent months as part of the solidarity work in support of the Cuban people were discussed, as well as the work projections for the coming months. In this sense, the initiative "From Australia to Cuba with love", developed from 1 January to 15 April 2022; and the preparation of the Southern Cross Brigade, which will be visiting Cuba soon from 29 December to 17 January; both initiatives were jointly coordinated with the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).
Friends of solidarity, once again, raised their voices to demand the end of the blockade imposed by the US government to Cuba, in addition to condemning the limitations and obstacles established by the Australian banks as a direct consequence of the US blockade extraterritoriality against Cuba.
The ambassador, in his speech, gave an update on the political, economic and social situation in Cuba, as well as the work carried out by the Cuban embassy in Australia. In addition, he thanked for the expressions of solidarity and all the support that the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society provides to our country.
The main result of the Consultation was the approval of a resolution whose text, among its main ideas, condemns the US blockade to Cuba and calls on the Australian government to maintain its favourable vote for the Cuban resolution against the blockade which is presented every year before the United Nations General Assembly and which, on this occasion, will take place on 2 and 3 November. They also urged the Australian government to support the opening of an Australian Embassy in Cuba.