"Dozens of people gathered at Plaza de la Juventud in Caracas on Sunday for a cultural event and a medicine drive in support of Cuba, held as part of the solidarity campaign 'Love is repaid with love.'  Footage shows people dancing to live music and printing T-shirts bearing the campaign slogan. The collection ran from 10:00 to 19:00, with organisers receiving basic medicines such as omeprazole, paracetamol and cefazolin as the first phase of the campaign came to a close. Jaisis Escalona, a member of the youth co-ordination of the National Venezuela-Cuba Friendship and Mutual Solidarity Movement - one of the organising groups - said the campaign initially aimed to collect 4,000 blister packs of medicines, but the final total reached between 5,000 and 6,000. "The campaign began on February 25 and is symbolically closing today, March 15, although the collection of medicines will continue, reflecting the spirit of love and solidarity that characterises us as brotherly nations," she said. Gabriela Rodriguez, also a member of the movement, said that through this campaign, Venezuelan youth were sending a message of solidarity to Cuba, adding that young people in Venezuela also 'resisted' what she called 'imperialist aggression.' The medical supplies are due to arrive on March 21 as part of the Nuestra America Flotilla, an international convoy bringing more than 20 tonnes of food, medicines and solar energy equipment to Havana. This comes as the Cuban president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, announced that Havana entered the 'initial phase' of talks with US officials, amid the US-imposed energy blockade on the Cuban people. The conversations are aimed at "seeking solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences" between the two nations. Diaz-Canel also described the dialogue as 'respectful' and said Cuba has reiterated its "willingness to take steps that could benefit the peoples of both nations."  Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned that if the 'deal' with Cuba - which includes massive concessions in exchange for US investment and lifting of the blockade - is not reached, it may 'not be a friendly takeover,' hinting at other ways to solve the dispute. The talks come as Cuba is facing a severe energy crisis after Trump signed an executive order warning of 'additional tariffs' on any country that "directly or indirectly, supplies oil to Cuba.""