Havana, May 17 (RHC) The leader of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and president of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel, led a  ceremony on Monday to bestow on a group of campesinos high decorations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP).

Osvaldo Felipe Armas Yero, from the Credit and Services Cooperative (CCS) 'Gabriel Valiente', from Jiguaní, in the eastern province of Granma, was awarded the Honorary Title of Labor Hero of the Republic of Cuba.

Armas Yero, a founder of ANAP, was unable to attend the ceremony due to health reasons. Rosendo Armas Castillo received the award on behalf of his father.

The Head of State also awarded the Order '17 de Mayo' to five ANAP members with more than 30 years of fruitful work in grassroots organizations and the national leadership of the Association.

The 'Romárico Cordero' medal was conferred to 41 leaders and other members of ANAP with 20 years or more of uninterrupted work.  On behalf of all of them, four of them received the award at the ceremony.

During the event, the  ANAP National Bureau announced it had recognized 150 cadres and associates with the 'Antero Regalado' distinction.

This May 17 marked the 75th anniversary of the assassination of peasant leader Niceto Pérez García, the 62nd anniversary of the signing by the historic leader Fidel Castro Ruz of the First Agrarian Reform Law, and the 60th anniversary of the founding of the National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP).