Cargando...On August 11, students repeated their call for peace and unity from the Cuban capital, where the act to celebrate half a century of the Continental Organization of Latin American and Caribbean Students (OCLAE) and inauguration of the Latin American and Caribbean Anti-imperialist Students Encounter, took place in the University of Havana’s Aula Magna.
Before the event, tributes to Julio Antonio Mella, founder of the Federation of University Students (FEU) and José Rafael Varona (Fefel), prominent figure in the OCLAE, were made close to the University. Later, the work Eterno Invencible, Escultor de pueblos, by young visual artist Lesmes Larroza, was presented as a gift to Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, in honor of his 90th birthday.
Recalling the history of the organization, OCLAE President Heidy Villuendas dedicated the event to the leader of the Cuban Revolution, highlighting his commitment to the defense of just causes worldwide, his tireless fight against imperialism, his confidence in the youth, and his role as a symbol of hope for a better world.
In a special moment during the event, a commemorative medal in honor of the organization’s 50th anniversary was presented to Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, and eternal Comandante Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías.
The distinction was also presented to the Cuban Five; Presidents Daniel Ortega and Evo Morales of Nicaragua and Bolivia, respectively; Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and former President of that country Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as well as human rights activist Piedad Córdova, among others.
Meanwhile, associations and institutions which have contributed to the development of the student movement, as well as some of OCLAE’s 38 member organizations, including the FEU, which has held the presidency of the organization since its founding, were also recognized.
Participating in the ceremony were Susely Morfa González, Young Communist League National Committee first secretary; Jennifer Bello, FEU national president and member of the Council of State; Kenia Serrano Puig, president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples; Gustavo Cobreiro, rector of the University of Havana; Lourdes Cervantes, secretary-general of the Organization of Solidarity with the Peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America; relatives of José Rafael Varona (Fefel); as well as representatives of the accredited diplomatic corps in the country and members of the Latin American Solidarity with Cuba Brigade. (Taken from en.granma.cu)
