They fought hard to meet the goal of surpassing the 36 gold medals won four years ago at the Toronto event, according to Osvaldo Vento Montiller, INDER President and head of the delegation to the Peruvian capital, noting athletes somber celebrations of silver and bronze medals that would unleash jubilation in any other delegation, as well as the tears of shame that flowed when a proposed goal was not met.

In a communiqué following the continental event, Vento explained, “We always emphasize that we are facing a very demanding contest, characterized by the high level of countries with more economic strength, which means an abundance of equipment, infrastructure, technology, facilities, and the needed practice, resources to nationalize, contract, or buy athletes and coaches, and other specific factors, including populations that are significantly larger than ours.”

He explained in a document presented to the media, “The reality points to the consolidation of this panorama in the future, because high performance sports increasingly demands large expenditures, and this is a challenge of great significance.”

The INDER President noted, “Given the prevailing level, described as the highest in the history of these competitions, with the presence of more than 100 Olympic medalists and 21 sports providing the opportunity to qualify for Tokyo, discipline, a winning attitude, and team spirit prevailed.”

Commenting on overall results, he noted that 20 sports made a contribution, “Nine of which contributed gold. We’re talking about boxing (8), athletics (5), wrestling (5), judo (5), shooting (4), canoeing (2), rowing (2), cycling (1) and fencing (1).”

The Cuban delegation participated in 267 of the 419 trials held, which meant being absent from 152, including more than a few not included in the Olympic program, “with which the overall order would not have been the same,” he said.

Vento highlighted those disciplines which won more medals than projected: shooting (2 more), boxing (1), athletics (1), judo (1) and fencing (1). He also referred to those in which the projected performances were not delivered, such as taekwondo and baseball, the latter with totally unexpected results, given the extensive training conducted, he said.

Our artistic gymnastics and jai alai teams did not win the medals they hoped for, while wrestling left behind two titles that had been identified as winnable, Vento noted,

Nevertheless, he insisted, “Analysis is needed, because we will never accept complacency, but nothing can take anything away from the pride we feel for the passion with which this delegation competed, to uphold the name of Cuba and the honorable people they represented.”

He again emphasized that Cuba, unlike others who add athletes and coaches from other countries to their teams, competed in Lima with an entirely Cuban delegation, “the product of a sports system within the reach of all, sustained as a priority by the state, despite the increasing hostility of the U.S. government, which imposes limitations that no other country must face.”

The INDER President likewise stressed that no disappointing performance was the result of lack of commitment or effort.

He highlighted the Cuban people’s support for the delegation, at all times, and reported that athletes were moved to receive messages from the President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People’s Power; and Comandante de la Revolución Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, among other leaders.

Also described as motivating were the conversations several team members held with Olga Lidia Tapia Iglesias, a member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat.

(Granma)

This is the second time Cuba is participating in the hemispheric event, after it was invited to attend the seventh edition in Panama in 2015.

Following pressure from Washington, the island was excluded from the first six editions of the summit, which was launched in Miami, in 1994.

Cuba’s eventual inclusion in the hemispheric gathering came after Latin American and Caribbean countries threatened to boycott future events if the island was not invited.

This year Venezuela was excluded from the Summit as part of attacks and attempts by Washington to destabilize the country.

(Granma)

Under the watchful eyes of a strong police presence, hundreds marched through the city’s central municipality of Jesús María.

Demonstrators demanded the release of former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; an end to political persecution of progressive leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean; the removal of foreign military bases in Peru; and no more intervention in the domestic affairs of Venezuela, in particular.

Gerónimo López, national secretary of the Peruvian General Federation of Workers, told the Cuban press that the march was held to denounce the United States’ hostile policies toward Latin America, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s absence.

Peruvian journalist Carlos Rombambil commented, “Social movements are awake and ready to do what is necessary to show we are not in favor of intervention.”

In the meantime, presidents and heads of state continued to arrive for the Summit, to be inaugurated this afternoon.

(Granma)

During sessions of the Civil Society Forum Coalition 15, deputy dean of the University of Havana Law School, Yuri Pérez, demanded “respect” for Cuba and that the region’s characteristic diversity be recognized.

Pérez denounced “hostile behaviors” and “aggressions” that have appeared on Lima’s avenues over the last few days, in the form of billboards and public announcements slandering the political system chosen by Cubans.

“It concerns us because, if a billboard is erected in the middle of a city, authorization is required, a license that gives permission to place it,” he said.

“We ask the Summit’s organizers, including Peruvian authorities, to pay attention, because we came here with a respectful discourse, but we categorically require respect and also demand respect,” Pérez added.

The Law School deputy dean recalled that the theme assigned Coalition 15, in which the majority of Cubans are participating, is precisely “For an inclusive and respectful world.”

The provocations are part of the strategy being implemented by mercenary groups, with foreign support, to sully Cuba’s image and attempt to present themselves as representatives of Cuban civil society in Lima, despite not having any legitimacy whatsoever within the country.

The cost of the billboards, which have appeared along the city’s central avenues, must surpass thousands of dollars and even reach hundreds of thousands, but the exact origin of the funds required to mount this offensive campaign, is still unknown.

A number of people in Peru were outraged by the counterrevolutionary messages and, in solidarity with Cuba, ripped the billboards and covered the offensive phrases with “Viva, Fidel,” and the phrase that has gone viral here, “Don’t mess with Cuba.”

(Granma)

The vice president of the National Association of Cuban Lawyers told Prensa Latina her concerns about the vertical and little participatory nature of the organization and the format of the Hemispheric Forum of Civil Society and Social Actors, in which she participated in the Peruvian capital.

In the first issue, the expert made it clear that the Cuban civil society delegation will not admit the presence of those she called mercenaries of Cuban origin and related organizations.

She stated that it is unacceptable that in the civil society forum, prior to the presidential event, these elements participate, because they are at the service of subversion and violence against the Cuban people and in favor of the blockade against the island and their presence would threaten the objectives of the forum.

The Cuban expert said that, in addition to leaving principle questions, during her participation, as a spokesperson of Coalicion 26 (group of delegates by subject and similars) ‘For an inclusive and respectful world’, she exposed the report on the consensus criteria presented at that dialogue table.

She also stated the concerns raised regarding the difficulties to carry out a frank and open dialogue on the established issues, that is, governance, corruption problem, sustainable development and cooperation.

(Prensa Latina)