The event, organized by the Ecuadorian Coordinator of Friendship and Solidarity with Cuba (Ceasc) and the Union of Communes and Communities of Ilalo-Lumbisi (Uccil), began with an ancestral ceremony and a *pambamesa* (communal meal) at the foot of the 3,190-meter-high mountain.

  Flags from Cuba, Palestine, Iran, and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, along with banners bearing the message “Cuba is not alone,” accompanied the event, which was conceived as an expression of support for these peoples’ struggles and their defense of “just causes.”

  Milton Chamorro, of Ceasc, explained that the goal of climbing Ilalo is to champion the struggle of the Cuban people during the centenary year of the birth of the historic leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro.

  The participants—including representatives from social and political organizations—denounced the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed on the island by the United States, which has intensified in recent months with an unprecedented energy blockade.

  “It is the blockade that prevents that people from living with greater dignity,” asserted Jaime Paucar, a leader of the La Toglla commune, who highlighted Cuba’s solidarity with other nations through medical, educational, and sports brigades, as well as the training of thousands of students.

  The community leader also criticized the Ecuadorian government’s policy toward Cuba and rejected the decision to withdraw the Cuban diplomatic mission from the country, a move made in March of this year.

  Former legislator Fernando Cabascango, president of Uccil, called for keeping unity among the peoples in the face of the various forms of pressure they confront.

jdt/otf/avr