Caimito - The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) accorded a warm welcome on Wednesday to the 50th Contingent of the Venceremos Brigade, at the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp, in Caimito, Artemisa Province.

ICAP's First Vice President, Noemí Rabaza, recalled that five decades ago the Brigade was born, and that it was the first project of solidarity with Cuba, which has travelled ]to the island bringing the noblest ideals of the American people in support of the Cuban  Revolution.

"Many are the challenges we face, even more now with the strengthening of the blockade and the application of Title III of the Helms Burton Act. We are infinitely grateful for the presence of each one of you in Cuba," said Rabaza .

With a total of 164 members from 14 U.S. states, the Venceremos brigade aims to protest U.S. blockade and the travel ban on Cuba imposed by Washington.

While in Cuba, brigade members will carry out agricultural work; they will learn about socio-economic aspects of Cuban current affairs and they will visit work and cultural centers in the provinces of Havana, Artemisa, Camagüey, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo.

According to ICAP, on August 13, Fidel Castro’s birthday, they brigade will be in Santiago de Cuba to pay tribute to him at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery.