Cuban farmer Abelardo Silva currently heads a cooperative farm in the western province of Artemisa and is part of the Cuban delegation participating in one of the forums running parallel to the 7th Summit of the Americas, in Panama.

Silva said he is looking forwards to explaining about the achievements reached by Cuban farmers following the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959. He said that the women and men from the Cuban countryside will speak about the democratic and participatory role of cooperative members in the decision-making process on the island.

The farmer, who is a member of the Cuban National Small Famers Association grouping private land owners, said that the main goal of his association´s members is to produce food for the people in tune with the country´s policy to reduce costly imports.

Meanwhile, Ricardo Veranes, who heads the first construction cooperative to have been opened in eastern Santiago de Cuba will also share his experiences in Panama about the performance and results of the new non-state modality on the island.

Veranes, has the condition of Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba, and he said that his cooperative counts on 90 members, who are currently involved in refurbishing health facilities, homes and other state-owned buildings, tourist parks and service facilities.

Both the farmer Silva and the construction worker Veranes noted that they will denounce the US economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba and support Venezuela amidst the current US aggression.