Cuba’s Casa de las Américas concluded the 2nd International Colloquium Patria (Homeland), attended by some 60 foreign guests and more than a hundred Cuban specialists.

The ceremony included a contemporary visual touch, whereby video clips were projected on the walls of the University of Havana, depicting an artistic portrait that included an introduction to Cuban culture and history.

At the forum, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel expressed his gratitude to the Cuban youth, as well as the participants from all over the world, emphasizing that this proves once again that Cuba is not isolated.

The President hailed the resilience of the Cuban youth, who confront the repercussions of the illegal US-led embargo on a daily basis, stressing that the Cuban youth will never be defeated or give up hope.

📷| Desde la escalinata de la Universidad de La Habana, en hermoso acto, concluye el coloquio #Patria2023.#Cuba no está sola y sigue siendo un faro para América Latina y el mundo. pic.twitter.com/iFTNdafZQB

— Presidencia Cuba 🇨🇺 (@PresidenciaCuba) March 18, 2023

"Cuba with its youth will build a better future," the President added.

Diaz-Canel emphasized that "all free peoples of the globe can count on Cuba, which is a beacon of social justice for humanity."

Participants call  to end US embargo 

The ceremony included speeches of solidarity from a number of notable Latin American figures, who voiced their support for Cuba and requested that the blockade be lifted in all forms.

The communiqué, which was issued at the conclusion of the forum, called for effective social media boosting strategies to counter the spread of disinformation campaigns against activists in Latin American and Caribbean Global Movements.

The statement also condemned the economic blockade imposed on Cuba, emphasizing that the blockade is expanding to include a digital blockade.

During his participation, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Mayadeen Media Network Ghassan Ben Jeddou stated that the forum is a new turning point in enhancing communication between senior intellectuals, media professionals, and decision-makers in Latin America and the Global South.

"As a founding member of the Network of Intellectuals, Artists, and Social Movements in Defense of Humanity, we are here to organize, communicate, and find a new plan for collaboration," he added.

Ben Jeddou vowed that this forum, which is currently taking place in Cuba, will be held throughout the Arab world at a later date, and will be "hosted by Al Mayadeen."

Ben Jeddou's statement shortly came after he met Thursday with the President of the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television and Information Minister, Alfonso Noya Martinez, and the two parties discussed bolstering cooperation between them, underlining the importance of coordination and communication, as well as creating new plans and programs to bolster pre-existing cooperation.

It is also worth noting that Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel decorated on Wednesday Ben Jeddou with the Cuban Medal of Friendship in recognition and appreciation of Ben Jeddou and Al Mayadeen's efforts in media and journalism, during a ceremony held in the Cuban National Library in commemoration of the island's National Press Day, in the presence of journalists, writers, and political analysts.

On his part, Ben Jeddou expressed his gratitude for receiving the medal, stressing that Cuba and Al Mayadeen are following in the footsteps of the [Cuban] revolution of defending humanity and liberation across the world.

The Medal of Friendship is awarded by the Council of State in Cuba, at the request of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), to foreigners who demonstrate active solidarity with the Caribbean country and a commitment to defending the revolution.

Stay tuned for an interview with the Cuban President discussing the Cuban revolution, the sanctions and embargo on #Cuba, the developments in Latin America, and much more.

Soon on #AlMayadeen.@PresidenciaCuba pic.twitter.com/9KwGQujiSH

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 14, 2023

In the same context, Al Mayadeen will soon feature an exclusive interview with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel. 

See more: ENIGMA | Resistance: An integral part of Cuban culture