Havana, October 22 (RHC)-- The vice-rector of the Raul Roa Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI), Gerardo Hernandez says that the U.S. government despises and underestimates the Cuban people.

Speaking on Monday at the forum 'Cuba in Revolution: 60 Years of Transformations', held in the Institute,  one of the Cuban Five and Hero of the Republic of Cuba recalled that "many did not bet a peso on the prolonged existence of the Revolution that triumphed on January 1, 1959.”

He added that "over the years anti-Cuban forces thought that youth could be a tool to annul the process led by Fidel Castro, but the young people saw in their parents an example of how to defend the independence and sovereignty of a nation.”

“There were many aggressions, we were the target of the plans of the Central Intelligence Agency, and from the very territory of the United States terrorist attacks were organized, and till present, the Caribbean island suffers the impacts of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States,” Hernandez added.

The vice-rector of the Higher Institute of International Relations said that as a new anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution approaches, the island is not exempt from errors and difficulties, but Cubans continue on their path to building a better country, and for that purpose, we count on Cuban youth.

At the meeting, attendees discuss topics such as science in the socialist project, environmental challenges in Cuba, continuity in youth and the intensification of Washington's hostile policy against Havana.

The forum is promoted by the Latin American Social Science Council (CLACSO).