Imias, Guantánamo - Teresa Amarelle, member of the Party Political Bureau and secretary general of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), presided an event here during which the municipality's women condemned the economic, commercial and financial blockade maintained by the government of the United States against Cuba for more than 50 years.

Beitelvis Cantillo, a local FMC leader, demanded that the hostile policy be ended and the Guantánamo Naval Base closed.

Eighth-grader Keila Labañino Verdecia, speaking for the organization's youngest members, outlined the serious damage caused by the blockade, harming the Cuban people and inhibiting the country's development. She called on Obama and the incoming U.S. President to respect the right of Cuban youth to choose their own future and construct a free homeland without interference.

Amarelle, in Imias after visiting the municipalities of Maisí and Baracoa, noted that Guantánamo's men and women have witnessed the way imperialism and the servile press have distorted Cuba's response to Hurricane Matthew, attempting to discredit government efforts and the presence of the country's highest leaders in affected areas.

The FMC leader commented, "In these areas we saw the people immersed in recovery efforts, with absolute confidence in the Revolution," noting that families whose homes were not damaged have opened their doors to others, and even provided space for students and teachers to continue the school year.

She likewise spoke with the press and commended work done to keep the population informed during and following the hurricane.

Also participating in the event were Zenia Lores Méndez and Vilmaida Machado Londres, acting president and vice president of the municipal Defense Council, respectively, as well as Daysi Véliz Bravo, FMC secretary general in the province.