Photos: Elea Masera Rigoni

By Nuria Barbosa León

In Ticino, a city in southern Switzerland closely tied to Italian culture, there is an active chapter of the Swiss-Cuba Association that is deeply committed to the just causes defended by the Cuban people. Elena Masera Rigoni, a national board member, emphasized the positive impact of their "solidarity suitcases" initiative, which involves donating medicine and medical supplies to various Cuban provinces.

"In just one year, we've sent 55 suitcases, each weighing 23 kilograms," she stated. The initiative seeks travelers outside the organization’s membership, typically tourists, who are willing to transport donations to Cuban health institutions. In return, the association covers their plane ticket, educates them about Cuba’s situation, and persuades them to be messengers of aid.

Upon arrival in Havana, a designated individual delivers the supplies to hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other health centers across the country. Donations focus on the most urgently needed items, often based on direct requests or known shortages. These items are gathered through financial contributions from members and pharmaceutical companies, or through donations of personal medicines.

Their chapter also collaborates with 13 other groups in Switzerland to organize container shipments of equipment and technology for various sectors in Cuba. They are currently assembling the third shipment.

These solidarity organizations meet twice a year to exchange experiences and plan future initiatives. At the most recent meeting on June 21 in Bern, participants joined a national demonstration in support of Palestine. They regularly participate in street protests on the 17th of each month to denounce the U.S. embargo and honor the day the Cuban Five were released from prison.

Masera noted that many Swiss citizens are unaware of the full impact of the U.S. embargo due to the media's distorted portrayal of Cuba. She also highlighted financial barriers within Europe, noting that many banks refuse transactions containing the word "Cuba," which complicates membership fees and emergency donations for hurricanes or other urgent needs.

The association is also committed to increasing tourism to Cuba, viewing it as essential for exposing people to the country's realities. Each year, they organize sociopolitical trip delegations, and they are planning one for the centennial of Fidel Castro’s birth.

In closing her message via WhatsApp, Masera said: "As an association, we strive to be a small source of support for Cuba, especially during these turbulent times of imperialist wars. We join marches holding Cuban flags and banners calling for peace. We stand against injustice, arrogance, and imperial domination. That’s why Cuba is so important to us—it fuels our desire to keep working, resisting, and pushing through adversity.”