Pastors Load Buses With Cuban Aid

HIDALGO, Texas —  School buses and other vehicles loaded with medical and office equipment crossed the border into Mexico on Wednesday on a relief trip to Cuba that violates the U.S. embargo.

It was the 14th straight year that Pastors for Peace, an American humanitarian aid group, has sought to bring supplies to the impoverished Communist nation despite the embargo.

“It’s a policy that has no redeeming value,” said the Rev. Lucias Walker, a New Jersey pastor who founded Pastors for Peace. “What we’re doing is an act of civil obedience to a higher power that says you should love your neighbor.”

Border officials did not try to stop the nine buses, a truck and several minivans loaded with donations. The equipment was gathered by churches and other groups from 127 U.S. cities.

Customs agents did hand out fliers warning that only three of the group were authorized to travel on to Cuba and the rest were subject to prosecution leading to jail time or fines if they tried to travel to the island.