Although the United States excluded Cuba from the so-called Summit of the Americas and denied visas to representatives of Cuban civil society for their participation in the People's Summit, the Caribbean nation is heard in the U.S. city of Los Angeles.

By María Josefina Arce

Although the United States excluded Cuba from the so-called Summit of the Americas and denied visas to representatives of Cuban civil society for their participation in the People's Summit, the Caribbean nation is heard in the U.S. city of Los Angeles.

Civil society representatives, including scientists and athletes, were invited to the People's Summit, but their visas were not processed in Havana to prevent them from attending. President Miguel Díaz Canel denounced that the United States "is not satisfied with just saying who and how the Cuban government should be, now they want to define who are the representatives of civil society".

Cuba's presence, however, is virtually guaranteed in several panels on democracy, the U.S. blockade and other important issues that are addressed in this space of inclusion and solidarity, parallel to the exclusionary appointment of the administration of President Joe Biden, strongly criticized.

In spite of Washington's hostile and unilateral policy, the American people will be able to know the vision of the largest of the Antilles on the real problems that afflict and worry the Americas, its achievements and its constant struggle for the lifting of the genocidal economic, commercial and financial siege that the United States has maintained for 60 years against the Cuban people.

In fact, the demand for the end of this criminal measure was heard in Los Angeles. Participants in the meeting expressed their support for the Cuban people and highlighted their dignity, resistance and right to build a better future, without external interference.

Cuba's presence is also necessary because it is a nation that, despite its limitations, has worked for the well-being of its citizens and exhibits notable advances in health and biotechnology, among other areas. 

Claudia de la Cruz, co-director of the platform They People's Forum, stated that the Caribbean nation is a model to follow in terms of economic and social policies that put the needs of the people at the front and center of everything.

It is also an example to the world for its solidarity and cooperation with other countries, not only in the face of natural disasters. The presence of Cuban professionals in different latitudes has contributed to improve health indexes and saved countless lives.

It also highlights its constant struggle for the integration of the region to jointly, with total respect, coordinate joint actions that lead to the observance of human rights and the welfare of the more than 600 million inhabitants of Latin America and the Caribbean.

These meetings have been held since the beginning of 2000, a real option for the peoples to dialogue and propose actions to defend the rights of the dispossessed and to reject attempts at imperialist domination. 

Everyone, trade unionists, students, political scientists and indigenous peoples, among others, are heard at this meeting, which Biden has tried to sabotage and which is organized by more than 150 U.S. organizations, joined by others from the southern part of the region.

The People's Summit is in favor of Latin American integration and unity, as well as against U.S. interference and neoliberal policies, which have caused so much hunger and inequality in the region.