Cuba's biggest battle is against U.S. trade embargo, says union leader

HAVANA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The struggle to lift the U.S. trade embargo continues to be Cuba's biggest battle, the general secretary of the Workers' Central Union of Cuba (CTC), Ulises Guilarte, said on Wednesday.

The sanctions, which are "today ... hardening," impede development and cause deprivation, Guilarte told the International Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba, which is being held in Havana.

Speaking to more than a thousand union leaders from 241 labor organizations in 66 countries, Guilarte said Cuba will continue to back international labor and social movements' struggle for justice, and progressive and left-leaning governments across the Americas.

During the inauguration of the forum, Cuba's deputy minister of foreign Affairs, Ana Teresita Gonzalez Fraga, detailed the steps the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump has taken to reverse the detente in bilateral ties achieved in recent years.

"They have the power, we have the truth, and we have to continue to struggle to let the world know," said Gonzalez.

However, she reiterated that Cuba was open to "respectful dialogue" with Washington and cooperation on matters of mutual interest.

The gathering, organized by the CTC and the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP), is held each year following May Day celebrations marking International Workers' Day. Enditem