Havana, June 26 (RHC)-- Gail Walker, Executive Director of Pastors of Peace and head of the U.S. solidarity caravan, affirmed upon their arrival in Havana that the 30th Caravan is more important than ever, given the Trump administration's hostility.

She added that they have traveled to the island with the risk of being fined or imprisoned upon their return, but they are driven by their solidarity with the Cuban people.

At the Jose Marti International Airport, Gail Walker said that under the current U.S. government it is uncertain what might happen. Even as they prepared to come, President Donald Trump eliminated the People to People category, one of the licenses used by the majority of Americans to visit the island.

"We have organized the caravan under the logic of its founder, my father, Lucius Walker; we do not ask for permission to come here, we refuse to do it and we continue embracing the ideal that love is our license," she said.

The Executive Director of Pastors for Peace expressed her gratitude to the 35 representatives from different parts of the United States, Mexico and Canada, who joined the caravan, many of whom have  travelled to the island on previous trips to voice support for the Cuban Revolution.

Gail Walker added that IFCO-Pastors for Peace educates people about the reality of Cuba, and thanks to it, many people, including in the United States, have learned about the island's progress in education, health, women's rights, the LGBTQ community, and how Cubans have been able to produce some of the most innovative medical treatments, despite "having the boot of the U.S. government on their neck."

"The most effective way to help end the blockade is for people to return home with a thorough understanding of what Cuba is, so that they can spread that knowledge and influence work to increase solidarity," she said.

The program of activities that the group will follow in Cuba includes meetings with representatives of various sectors in different provinces.

At the José Martí International Airport, the members of the caravan were welcomed by the Hero of the Republic of Cuba Fernando González Llort, president of the Cuban Friendship Institute, ICAP.