A contingent comprising more than one hundred activists — representing over 50 solidarity organizations, political groups, and trade union and labor collectives from 17 countries — arrived this Tuesday evening at Havana’s José Martí International Airport, bringing a shipment of approximately five tons of medical supplies and other essential goods.
This gesture of support for the island forms part of the European leg of the “Nuestra América” (Our America) convoy; in the coming days, other groups from various geographic regions are also expected to arrive with similar shipments aimed at alleviating the current strains caused by the intensification of the “maximum asphyxiation” policy implemented by the United States government against the largest island of the Antilles.
Rigoberto Zarza, Director for Europe at the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), explained that the shipment—valued at approximately 500,000 euros—will be distributed, in coordination with Cuban institutions, to four hospitals in the capital.
He noted that the initiative was coordinated by the Agency for Cultural and Economic Exchange with Cuba (Italy) and by a call issued by the Progressive International, which resonated across various platforms. This collective effort made it possible to gather contributions from some 700 individuals acting in a personal capacity, as well as from various solidarity collectives across European nations, with additional representation from Morocco and Algeria in North Africa.
Furthermore, he characterized this action as being of great importance — not only for what it represents materially, from a medical and humanitarian standpoint, during the current moment — but also because it demonstrates an awareness of the particularly complex energy situation currently facing the archipelago, a concern reflected in the inclusion of photovoltaic systems within the shipment. Belgian MEP Marc Botenga described his presence on the island under these circumstances as a duty of solidarity with Cuba—a nation currently falling victim to Washington’s criminal policy of economic strangulation, and one that has historically extended its support to the rest of the world during other particularly critical moments.
In this regard, he recalled the presence of the Cuban medical brigade in Italy during the height of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the decisive role its healthcare professionals played in containing the virus within Italy.
“We have come here to remind you that Cuba is not alone—that we stand with you from our own countries and are reciprocating the immense solidarity you have shown us!” he emphasized.
French MEP Emma Fourreau likewise insisted that the first step in supporting the Caribbean nation’s cause is to speak out about it across the globe, highlighting how it is being impacted by the economic warfare currently being waged against it.
She noted that by gaining firsthand knowledge of the reality in Cuba, they would be able to serve as spokespersons for this struggle on the international stage.
“The most important thing is to listen to and learn from what the Cuban people have to say; this is a first step—a symbolic gesture that will draw the attention of the rest of the planet,” she concluded.
On Tuesday, Cuba’s Ambassador to Italy, Jorge Luis Cepero, visited Rome’s Fiumicino Airport to bid farewell to the members of the European Solidarity Convoy as they departed for Havana.
In statements to reporters at the airport terminal, the diplomat underscored the significance of this gesture—a testament to the close bonds of friendship uniting the peoples of Italy and Cuba, as well as to the strong opposition within Italy to the genocidal economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against the island.
IMAGE CREDIT: José Manuel Lapeira Casas | Photos: Omara García Mederos
[ SOURCE: AGENCIA CUBANA DE NOTICIAS ]
