Havana, January 16 (RHC)-- Cuban President Raúl Castro congratulated the Organization of Solidarity with the People of Africa, Asia and Latin America (OSPAAAL) on occasion of the organization's 50th anniversary, celebrated on Friday, January 15th.

A message sent by the Cuban head of state reads: “50 years have gone by since those who participated in the 1st Tricontinental Conference agreed on the creation of OSPAAAL.”

During the main activity to mark the anniversary, held at the iconic Habana Libre Hotel, participants thanked President Raúl Castro and Revolution Leader Fidel Castro, whom they called “visionary men” who founded the solidarity organization.

Addressing the participating leaders of revolutionary and national liberation movements, representing 44 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, OSPAAAL General Secretary Lourdes Cervantes, reaffirmed the organization's unequivocal support of Third World peoples, particularly their causes in defense of peace, national sovereignty, independence, self-determination, unity and integration.