The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) celebrated its 55th anniversary with a cultural-political act presided by member of the Party Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Relations, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; José Ramón Balaguer Cabrera, member of the Central Committee Secretariat and head of its International Relations Department, while the Five Heroes of the Republic of Cuba were also in attendance.
The President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, sent a message of congratulations to workers at the institution saluting their continued efforts over 55 years.
Ramón Labañino Salazar, decorated Hero of the Republic of Cuba, speaking on behalf of himself and his four brothers Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González and René González, noted that they felt deeply moved by this important date.
“Thank you ICAP and the Cuban people for remaining at our side for all this time, for your ongoing efforts against the blockade, demanding the closure of the Guantánamo Naval base and return of the illegally occupied territory on which it sits, and against the Cuban Adjustment Act,” he added.
ICAP’s directorate presented commemorative works by visual artist Alberto Lescay and designer Luis Ramírez Jiménez to the founders of the institution, Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro and Army General Raúl Castro Ruz.