Santiago de Cuba, August 13 (RHC)-- Members of the 50th Contingent of the Venceremos Brigade paid tribute on Tuesday to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro.  Brigadistas from the United States -- wrapping up their stay on the island -- visited the Santa Efigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba, laying flowers at the granite monument where Fidel's ashes rest.  

The Venceremos Brigade is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Cuba.  The brigade -- the first solidarity contingent to be formed internationally -- was founded in the U.S. in 1969.  The first brigades worked in cutting cane and construction.  The anti-imperialist, political education project comes to Cuba every year in defiance of the travel restrictions on U.S. citizens, imposed by Washington.