Members of the XVI Contingent of the May 1st International Brigade of Voluntary Work and Solidarity with Cuba. (Photos: Oscar Alfonso Sosa/ACN)

Sancti Spíritus, May 7 (RHC) The members of the XVI Contingent of May 1st International Brigade of Voluntary Work and Solidarity with Cuba, who have been in the province of Sancti Spíritus since last Wednesday, were impressed.

Among cheers and cheers to Cuba, the more than 240 brigaders who, on this occasion, shared with the population in work centers, students, and in the community, said goodbye to the territory of Sancti Spíritus.

A special moment for them was their participation, this Friday, in the celebration of World Proletariat Day when they accompanied tens of thousands of inhabitants of this city in the march that took place in the Plaza de la Revolución Mayor General Serafín Sánchez Valdivia.

I love Cubans very much, Chilean Cecilia Muñoz Guzmán told ACN and added that as an expression of that love, she zealously keeps a giant Cuban flag, and wherever I stand, she stressed, I will defend this country.

The veteran fighter of the Movimiento de Izquierda Revolucionaria, as well as her companion in the brigade, Tania Castillo Vera, who was a militant in the Communist Youth in her country, were imprisoned during the mournful days of the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, while still very young; but the harsh repression to which they were subjected could NOT prevent their rebellious spirit and, as they say, nor their loyalty to the cause of the Cubans.

The gesture of the large group of the contingent that visited the Camilo Cienfuegos General Hospital was very sensitive, as they donated to the largest health center in this central Cuban province, several supplies, and consumables such as collection bags, syringes, gauze, and medicines for patients in serious condition.

When interested in the care of pregnant women and other patients admitted to the hospital, the guests received detailed information on the care provided to them, despite the difficult economic conditions the nation is going through, which has hindered, in some cases, the treatment of the sick.

The visitors from 29 countries from all continents, with the United Kingdom and the United States being the most important, were able to appreciate in their contacts with the people of Cuba the efforts of the country amid the current financial contingencies; imposed, above all, by the iron economic, commercial and financial blockade of the U.S. government against Cuba.

Among those attending the meeting, organized by the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba and the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, were trade union leaders and representatives of solidarity organizations and social movements (Source: ACN).