U.S. schools and shelters to receive Cuban aid

The 14th U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment caravan, organized by IFCO/Pastors for Peace, after successfully delivering 80 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuban schools, churches, hospitals, and senior centers last week, returned to the United States via Mexico on July 29, carrying products manufactured in Cuba to be delivered to communities throughout the U.S. The caravan is delivering the Cuban-made aid as a challenge to the U.S. blockade, which prohibits normal trade between the U.S. and Cuba.

The aid includes a solar-panel for a middle school in Buffalo, and coffee, honey and bee pollen products for a homeless shelter in Wisconsin. These donations are a gift from the people of Cuba to the people of the United States, as a symbol of good will and friendship.

The 14th U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment caravan also challenged the travel blockade that the U.S. imposes on its citizens that wish to travel to Cuba. More than 100 caravan participants traveled to Cuba without seeking a U.S. Treasury Department license. They were joined in this challenge by the over 80 members of this year’s Venceremos Brigade delegation, which will return to the U.S. on Aug. 4, walking over the Peace Bridge to Buffalo, N.Y. Venceremos is calling on people to meet and welcome the delegates at 7:30 a.m.

Since 1992, IFCO/Pastors for Peace has delivered more than 2,250 tons of urgently needed assistance to the Cuban people without seeking a U.S. Treasury license.