Cuba's socialist system unstoppable: trade union leader

HAVANA, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The general secretary of the Workers' Central Union of Cuba (CTC), Ulises Guilarte, delivered a defiant message on Tuesday, saying the country's socialist system was unstoppable.

In a speech to tens of thousands gathered at Havana's Revolution Square to mark the International Workers Day, Guilarte told the crowd: "Nothing and no one will ever stop us."

The island's top union leader delivered the May Day's keynote address in the company of Cuba's ruling party leader Raul Castro and President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

"This day is a convincing demonstration of the solid foundations of our glorious revolution and the majority support of our people for our economic and social model," said Guilarte.

Cuba's workers marched under the banner "Unity, commitment and victory," which he said represents the "present and future" decision to continue building a "sovereign, independent, socialist, democratic, prosperous and sustainable nation."

Guilarte called for boosting production, especially of exportable items, improving the quality of services, and facilitating investment in development programs.

Turning to global matters, the union leader called for an end to the U.S.-led trade embargo which, after more than 50 years of undermining the island's economy, "has now intensified," and the withdrawal of the U.S. naval base and prison from Guantanamo in eastern Cuba.

Guilarte denounced the "unjust" international order and neoliberal policies that enslave workers. He affirmed Cuba's "unconditional support" for the governments of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his Nicaraguan counterpart Daniel Ortega, and solidarity with Brazil's embattled Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the union leader-turned-president who was recently jailed for alleged corruption.

Like most countries around the world, Cuba celebrated the International Workers Day with marches and rallies, which took place in 168 cities. Enditem