The representatives of the two groups received the ICAP’s seal from Cuban Ambassador to Australia Ariel Lorenzo, who praised the contribution and solidarity actions carried out in favor of Cuba and its people by both organizations for more than 40 years and even amid the most difficult circumstances.

Lorenzo also praised the efforts carried out by several generations of Australians to promote cooperation projects in schools and children’s hospitals in his country, as well as in the management of donations for the benefit of the Cuban population.

The support for Cuba’s demands against the tightened US blockade also has historical roots in the Australian solidarity movement, which also spoke out for the return of the territory illegally occupied by the US naval base in Guantanamo and accompanied the battle for the return of the Five Heroes, he said.

Referring to the Southern Cross Brigade, the diplomat said that its solidarity work all these years allowed it not only to visit and know closely the Caribbean nation’s reality, but also to contribute and be an active entity that promotes the volunteer work and the labor effort along with the Cuban people.

The representatives of the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Albury, Adelaide and Newcastle thanked the ICAP for the decoration granted.

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