The visit included meetings with solidarity groups in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as with lawyers from the National Lawyers Guild—who were interested in the debate and approval process for Cuba’s Family Code—and members of National Nurses United in Oakland.

  Accompanied by Gabriela Gonzalez, the Cuban Embassy’s commercial attache, Dieguez reiterated her gratitude to the American people for their support of Cuba’s demands to lift the blockade imposed on the island by the United States for over 60 years.

  Dieguez elaborated on the consequences of the tightened unilateral blockade against her country, particularly following the executive order of January 29, which deprived the Caribbean nation of oil imports through energy-related sanctions.

  The diplomat reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to peace but stated that its people would know how to defend themselves against any foreign aggression, noting that the Caribbean nation has historically maintained good relations with the rest of the world.

  In Los Angeles, there was a notable presence of new organizations, print and radio journalists, union members, and young activists. Additionally, news emerged regarding an upcoming shipment of medical aid to Cuba, valued at nearly one million dollars.

  This effort was coordinated by an alliance comprising Not Just Tourists, the Pan American Medical Association (graduates of the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana), Global Health Partners, and the LA Hands-Off Cuba committee. jdt/ft/dfm