Cuban and Canadian youth celebrate UJC & OPJM anniversary

Cuban and Canadian youth gathered in Toronto on April 5 to celebrate the anniversaries of the founding of the UJC (Unión de Jóvenes Comunistas – the Cuban YCL) and the OPJM (Organización de Pioneros José Martí), two of the biggest and most important youth organizations in Cuba, as well as the Day of Cuban Childhood and Youth. The event was organized by young members of the Juan Gualberto Gomez Association of Cubans in Canada, all of whom wished to show solidarity with the youth of their homeland. Members of the diplomatic staff of the Cuban consulate in Toronto, solidarity groups and youth organizations, including the YCL-LJC, were in attendance. 

General Secretary Ivan Byard, representing the YCL-LJC, spoke to the gathering about the long ties between the Cuban and Canadian people – Canada being one of only two countries in the Americas to maintain diplomatic relations after the victory of the Cuban revolution. He also noted Cuba’s solidarity throughout the years, from sending troops to Angola to fight imperialism and apartheid to dispatching medical brigades to countries in dire need of trained medical personnel, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many speakers mentioned Cuba’s and Cubans’ resilience in the face of the now over six-decade-long blockade perpetrated by the U.S., but also the dire need for continued solidarity in the face of tightening measures from the Trump administration and the anti-Cuba members of his government. 

The consul general of Cuba in Toronto also spoke, thanking the young members of the Cuban residents’ association who took the initiative to organize the event in honour of Cuban youth. He mentioned a new initiative to start a summer camp where young Cuban people who have grown up outside of Cuba can visit their homeland and interact with other youth in Cuba. The invitation was extended to all youth from Canada who wish to partake in this cultural exchange. 

Now more than ever, the ties to the Cuba solidarity movement must be strengthened and our work to fight for the lifting of the blockade and all sanctions against Cuba and its people is now more important than at any time. This work must be carried out by all youth who wish to see an end to imperialist aggression against the young people all over the world. The weekend’s event showed the commitment that young people have to struggling for a better world.