The Italian General Confederation of Labor (CGIL) is strengthening its support for the Cuban people today with various initiatives, in the face of an increased economic blockade and the threat of war from the United States, a union leader declared.
Nicoletta Grieco, director of the European and International Policies Area of that union, stated in an interview with Prensa Latina that “we believe it is very important to increase solidarity with Cuba at this time when the US government is trying to destroy that country with a genocidal blockade.”
“The United States is trampling on international law everywhere, also with its aggressive policy against the island, and we defend multilateralism, as well as internationalism and international law,” she indicated.
He emphasized that the CGIL, considered the largest labor union in the country and one of the most important regionally, has maintained close ties with the Central Organization of Cuban Workers (CTC) for many years, ties that are growing stronger, particularly now, given the complex situation facing the nation.
“We believe that Cuba has the right to self-determination and the right to economic development,” he stated, emphasizing his deep love for the country, where he lived in the 1990s during the difficult times of the so-called Special Period, while studying at the University of Havana.
“After returning to Italy, I have traveled to Cuba many times, and when I visited in 2016, at a time when the embargo had eased, I could see how quickly its economy improved—proof that, without this criminal embargo, the situation on the island would be very different,” he affirmed.
In recent months, the CGIL (General Confederation of Italian Labor) has carried out various actions in support of Cuba, including the participation of its members in the European Solidarity Convoy and in the May Day celebrations in Havana.
The CGIL’s flags flew alongside those of the Caribbean nation at various events, marches, and other demonstrations in support of the island, which have taken place throughout Italy in recent months, the CGIL stated.
It referred in particular to the “Energy for Life” campaign, launched in September 2025 to support the Cuban electrical system, which is facing problems caused by the US embargo and exacerbated by Hurricane Melissa. The campaign has already raised more than 300,000 euros for various projects.
In developing this program, the union joined forces with the National Association of Italy-Cuba Friendship (ANAIC), the ARCI Cultural Promoter, the international solidarity program Nexus, and the National Association of Italian Partisans (ANPI).
The union leader announced that from September 22 to 25, a delegation from the CGIL and the other organizations promoting the Energy for Life initiative will visit Cuba. They will deliver aid and visit communities in the eastern provinces affected by Hurricane Melissa, where the projects were funded. At the end of the interview, Grieco emphasized that, with the support of progressive forces in Italy and around the world, “I hope that somehow this serious threat, which the Cuban people do not deserve, can be stopped.”
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
