Building bridges, uniting wills, and cultivating peace 

Sixty-five years ago, on December 30, 1960, the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cuba published Law No. 901; in this way, the institution that has been one of the fundamental pillars of solidarity relations between the Island and the peoples of the world was established.
The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), founded by Fidel Castro, emerged during a time of growing hostility from the U.S. government toward the island. It allowed for the building of a bridge between Cuba and all nations and organizations willing to strengthen ties with the nascent Cuban Revolution.
Yesterday afternoon, the main event commemorating the 65th anniversary of ICAP was held. The ceremony was presided over by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; members of the Political Bureau, including the Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee, Roberto Morales Ojeda, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla. Also present were Heroes of the Republic of Cuba, ICAP President Fernando González Llort, and the National Coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), Gerardo Hernández Nordelo.
Fernando González Llort, "with a heart full of pride and also the commitment to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the institution," in the central words of the event highlighted the presence, on this occasion, of 240 friends from 32 countries.
He also stated that ICAP endures and is renewed in fulfilling the mission for which it was conceived: "to build bridges, unite wills, and cultivate peace." He highlighted the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which, "with effort and dedication," has included Cuba in the global solidarity network, which comprises more than 1,900 organizations in 151 countries.
During the event, workers who have dedicated a large part of their lives to the institution were recognized, and some twenty organizations and personalities received the ICAP 65th Anniversary commemorative stamp.
Throughout these 65 years, ICAP has been both witness to and an active participant in the history of the Cuban Revolution, fostering the creation of solidarity committees with the island nation on five continents and providing support wherever it has been needed; one example of this is the renowned Henry Reeve Cuban Medical Brigade.