Young Cuban to speak in NZ

Yexenia Calzado, to speak to NZ audiences Wednesday, 20 April 2016, 10:47 am Press Release: Cuba Friendship Society

Cuban woman, Yexenia Calzado, to speak to New Zealand audiences about ending the U.S. economic embargo, and the return of Guantanamo Bay to Cuba.

Yexenia Calzado will visit New Zealand April 24-29, while in New Zealand she will meet with students, academics, unionists and address public meetings seeking support for Cuba and calling for stepped up efforts to end the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba.

The embargo impacts many New Zealand companies who may want to trade with Cuba. New Zealand’s largest trading bank explains that it applies sanctions in a blanket way,

“While this may mean meeting rules we don’t need to – for example meeting sanctions requirements in relation to Cuba, which only apply to the US – this approach makes it simple for our people to understand and meet our obligations.”

The United States maintains a military base at Guantanamo Bay against the will of the Cuban people. Yexenia will address the ongoing U.S. military presence on the island of Cuba.

Yexenia Calzado is in charge of solidarity work with South Asia and the Pacific for the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), she is visiting New Zealand at the invitation of the New Zealand Cuba Friendship society.

Public events

Wellington, Tuesday, April 26th.
5.30pm, Meeting hosted by the Caribbean Council, Terrace Conference Centre House, 114 The Terrace, All welcome. Free entry, RSVP via http://tinyurl.com/h5yjflf

6.30pm, Public meeting including Q & A, Southern Cross Bar, Abel Smith Street.

Auckland, Wednesday, April 27th.
7pm Public meeting and discussion, Trades Hall 147, Great North Rd, Grey Lynn.

Auckland, Thursday, April 28th.
3pm Round table discussion, hosted by the New Zealand Centre for Latin American Studies, University of Auckland, Arts 1 Building Rm 710, 14a Symonds St