About 100 people gathered at the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union hall in Lidcombe on February 27 to celebrate the release of the Cuban Five from prison in the US late last year, and to welcome the new Cuban ambassador to Australia, Jose Manuel Galego. The event was organised by the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society (ACFS).
Adrianna Navarro, lawyer and Latin American solidarity activist, showed photos of her recent trip to Cuba, in which she met with the newly released Cuban Five and their families. The five men expressed deep thanks for the work of their Australian supporters over many years.
Literacy for Life campaigner and Aboriginal elder Jack Beetson spoke about the notable progress of the Cuban-sponsored Yo Si Puedo (Yes I Can) literacy program in Aboriginal communities in regional NSW. The program has been successfully trialled in several towns, most recently Bourke.
"We are pushing for the Yes I Can program to be rolled out across the country," Beetson said. "Aboriginal liberation will only come when we have a literate community."
New Cuban ambassador Galego said: "December 17 last year was an extraordinary date. It marked the victory of the freedom of the Cuban Five from US prison [as part of the historic agreement between the governments of Cuba and the US].
"We have been fighting for 150 years for the independence of Cuba. Now we enter a new phase of the struggle.
"We still need to campaign for a complete end to the US blockade of Cuba. Return Guantanamo to Cuba. Compensation for the effects of the blockade on the Cuban people.
"Now there is a chance to build better relations between Cuba and Australia. We are working [towards] a visit by the federal parliamentary friendship group with Cuba to our country soon.
"Thank you for your efforts in solidarity with Cuba over many years."
Venezuelan ambassador to Australia Nelson Davila sent greetings in which he welcomed the new Cuban ambassador, and noted the threat to Venezuela from a possible US-backed coup in that country.
"We ask that all of you remain alert regarding events in the coming days," Davila wrote.
The night was rounded out with toasts to Cuba, and entertainment from musicians including well-known Latin American group Papalote.
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