In the concluding statement of the 5th Congress of the Network of High School Students of Rome, which ended on Friday in Rome, members of that group expressed their full solidarity with Cuba, “by denouncing the despicable actions taken by Western governments, and mainly by the United States” against Cuba.
The statement demands the end of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on the Cuban people, an action described as “unjust, unacceptable and terrible, and which violates the guarantee of human rights”.
As a guest at the event, representing the Cuban Embassy in Italy, Alejandro Betancourt, third secretary in charge of Press and Cultural Affairs, took part in the event, conveying greetings from the Cuban Ambassador Mirta Granda, and recalled that the Cuban Revolution was built by young people.
The assault on the Moncada Barracks in 1953, the beginning of the last stage of the liberation movement, was commanded by Fidel Castro, who was only 26 years old, an action whose intellectual author was the Cuban national hero, José Martí, who was only 42 years old when he died in combat.
He spoke about particularities of the cruel U.S. blockade and thanked those attending this congress for their condemnation of such actions, while wishing them success in their efforts in the struggle for a better world, for the construction of which, he said, “we need young people like you”.
Marco Papacci, president of the National Association of Italy-Cuba Friendship (ANAIC), also gave remarkable words in the event and praised the fact that young Cubans live under the daily difficulties caused by the blockade and, in spite of everything, are cheerful, fighters, revolutionaries, educated, and today occupy many positions in the country.
The concluding statement expressed that “Cuba, the island example of virtue, after more than 60 years of the Revolution, continues to be for us a glorious example of struggle for justice, peace and freedom”.
It demands its “elimination of Cuba from the infamous states-sponsor-of-terrorism (SSOT) list”, a measure aimed at further stiffling the Cuban economy.
We must put an end to this vile policy against Cuba, and it will be our mission to continue this battle in Italy.
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