Members of an Italian delegation—comprising representatives from various social organizations and political parties currently visiting the island—are highlighting the impact of the US blockade on the Cuban population via social media.
Under the slogan “Route to Cuba: Being where it matters,” the initiative is promoted by organizations such as ARCI, CGIL, Anaic, Nexus, ANPI, ARCS, AOI, and the Peace and Disarmament Network, in collaboration with the Democratic Party, the Five Star Movement, and the Green and Left Alliance.
On her Facebook page, Democratic Party lawmaker Laura Boldrini described the caravan’s recent visit to the Arturo Montori primary school in Havana, where they delivered school supplies for the 210 students, despite severe electricity and water shortages.
“The teachers, however, do not stop and continue working for the children’s education,” she wrote.
The former President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies also referred to the visit to the General Calixto García University Hospital in the Cuban capital, noting that it is “a center suffering from a lack of electricity and medicines caused by the fuel blockade imposed by Trump.”
At this prestigious medical facility, the delegation delivered 500 kilograms of medicines and medical supplies; 400 kilograms of these were purchased through the “Energy for Life” fundraising campaign, organized by the Italian social groups and unions participating in the caravan. During their interaction with medical staff, the visitors learned about the impact of the U.S. government’s intensified restrictions on energy supplies, as well as the challenges faced in treating patients due to medication shortages.
Regarding the meeting at the Calixto García Hospital, Stefania Ascari, a lawmaker with the Five Star Movement, noted on Facebook: “We have heard doctors and nurses speak about what it means to work every day without knowing if the necessary medicines, supplies, or materials for a surgery will be available.”
In her social media posts, Ascari described witnessing the extent to which Washington’s blockade affects the lives of Cubans. “We brought what we could, but no suitcase can ever replace people’s right to medicine, healthcare, energy, water, education, and dignity,” she stated.
She asserted that Italy cannot remain silent. “It must take a clear stand against the embargo and work within international forums to remove the obstacles preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid.”
The Italian lawmaker further emphasized that “Cuba is a sovereign country. It has the right to self-determination, freedom, and peace. We are here to provide aid, listen, bear witness, and bring the truth of what we have seen back to Italy.”
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
