Cuba solidarity was on full display at a recent Palestine protest

Cuba solidarity campaigners joined with Palestine activists on 26 July at the Red Line solidarity event in Aberystwyth, which drew some 1,500 activists. The Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) – in Wales represented by umbrella group Cymru Cuba – enjoys close relations with colleagues in the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC).

Cuba: imperialism writ large

Cuba has long been a supporter of the Palestinian struggle for freedom. Che Guevara – arguably one of the world’s most famous revolutionary leaders – visited Palestinian refugee camps in 1959 and promised Cuban support, which continues to this day. 26 July is a significant date in the Cuban calendar, the day when the revolution began with an attack in 1953 led by Fidel Castro on the Batista dictatorship’s Moncada Barracks, a garrison of 1,000 soldiers. The 26th July Movement was born and went on to bring an end to the Batista regime.

There are many parallels between Cuba and Palestine. Both are subject to imperialistic interference. Gaza has been suffering a genocidal onslaught and blockade by Israel, with starvation and devastation of the civilian population the result.

The US has imposed an economic and trade blockade on Cuba since 1960. Despite some easing during the Obama years, inaction by Biden and now tightening under President Trump, things are getting worse. Despite this, Cuba offers medical training to Palestinians for free and has pledged to send doctors’ brigades to help in rebuilding Gaza if allowed.

El bloqueo – as the blockade is known in Cuba – is a collection of US laws which restricts Cuba’s ability to have trade and normal relations with the US, and in some cases, other countries too.
The US government first imposed economic, commercial, and financial restrictions on Cuba in October 1960, shortly after the 1959 Cuban Revolution.

In February 1962 the blockade was extended to include almost all imports. Further legislation in the 1990s strengthened and codified the blockade into US law, meaning that it can only be fully lifted by an act of Congress.

Solidarity across the divide

The effects of the blockade are wide-reaching, encompassing health, education, access to basic provisions, supply of electricity, sports and culture. Children’s hospitals face obstacles when it comes to acquiring specialist materials suitable for small children, most of which come from the US.

For 32 years in a row, the UK has been joining an overwhelming number of other countries in voting at the United Nations to end the blockade, which is usually supported only by the US and Israel.

Cuba Solidarity/Cymru Cuba has a number of branches in Wales, with local activists planning to establish more across the country. Ceredigion CSC/Cymru Cuba joined forces with Ceredigion PSC, Palestine Solidarity Aberystwyth, the group which coordinated The Red Line, and other organisations to host a solidarity evening following the Red Line event, ‘Viva Cuba! Viva Palestine!’

The event drew a full house at Theatr Arad Goch with a programme of films exploring the long history of resistance of the Cuban and Palestinian people.

Ceredigion CSC/Cymru has organised several events since its formation a couple of years ago, and enjoyed the support of local MPs Ben Lake and Steve Witherden. It has been proud to welcome the Cuban ambassador and others from the embassy to Aberystwyth on two occasions.

The organisers in Ceredigion say their campaign branch is growing and moving from one-off events to a more systematic campaigning rhythm.

Education, building cultural and social links, and sending practical aid in the form of much-needed medicines and education equipment are all part of the essential work of CSC.

A spokesperson for Cymru Cuba said:

We had so many great discussions with people in Aberystwyth which will hopefully turn into more members. We raised awareness of the ongoing US blockade against Cuba which is affecting Cubans in every part of life, such as medical and food shortages. We all share the same struggle.

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