Friends from around the world celebrate May Day in Cuba

Susana Lee

Around 1700 participants from organizations and social movements from 68 countries will march in solidarity with the Cuban people. Many will also attend the International Solidarity Meeting on May 2.

1,691 union leaders and representatives of social and solidarity movements from 68 countries have confirmed their participation in the May Day celebrations in Cuba.

As is customary, the large number of foreign delegates who attend annually come as a result of the strong relations between the CTC and workers organizations and the Cuban Friendship Institute (ICAP) and international solidarity groups and associations, which decide to travel to the island to celebrate May Day with the Cuban people. Many organizations plan well in advance, making a significant effort to finance their travel, with some workers even scheduling their vacations for these months to be able to participate.

According to CTC plans, they will be organizing 829 participants from 214 organizations, including Uruguay with 158 representatives, Argentina, 107; Brazil, 93; Colombia, 74; Mexico, 65 and Chile, 60. The majority of international participants will be from the Americas; 720 from 24 countries.

While, ICAP has organized 37 groups with 862 participants, from 26 countries from around the world, among them the long-established May Day Brigade consisting of 214 members.