The world stands with Cuba

Social movements and organizations around the world organized demonstrations in solidarity with Cuba and in rejection of the US-backed opposition protests planned in the country for November 15

November 17, 2021 by Tanya Wadhwa
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel with college students at a peaceful sit-in organized in Havana on November 14. Photo: Miguel Díaz-Canel/Twitter

The US-backed counter-revolutionary protests planned for November 15 in Cuba fell flat as the Caribbean country reopened its borders to tourists and its schools on the same day. The Cuban people blatantly rejected being a part of the US destabilization attempt and proved that they are more concerned about the reopening of the economy and the return to normalcy after a year and a half of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A small number of people in a few cities took to the streets as a part of the “Civic March for Change”, called for by an NGO called Archipiélago in 10 cities across Cuba. Videos shared on social media showed that these “organized protests” were quickly overshadowed by pro-revolutionary supporters. Meanwhile, local media reported that the economic activities ran normally across the country.

Since Sunday, Cubans have also been organizing actions in defense of the Cuban Revolution and against the US sabotage attempts. On November 14, a group of college students organized a peaceful sit-in in the capital Havana’s Central Park as a part of the “Red Scarves” event. The young communists also organized concerts, poetry readings, documentary screenings, book presentations, and speeches related to the Cuban Revolution and the country’s future. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel also joined the event following the student’s invitation.

In addition to the rejection expressed in Cuba, thousands of people associated with hundreds of social organizations around the world held numerous demonstrations in solidarity with Cuba and in the rejection of the US-backed opposition protests.

The people of the US reject attacks against Cuba

In Washington, DC, organizations such as CodePink, Answer Coalition, DC-Metro Coalition in Solidarity with the Cuban Revolution, the Democratic Socialists of America and the Communist Party of the United States organized a solidarity action in front of the Cuban Embassy. The activists and political leaders celebrated the reopening of the borders of the island nation and rejected the continuation of the US’ hostile policy against the socialist country. They demanded that Joe Biden’s administration end the commercial, economic and financial blockade of Cuba that has been suffocating the Cuban people for over six decades.

In New York City, the representatives of the New York-New Jersey Cuba Sí Coalition, New York Young Communist League, and other organizations organized a demonstration in front of the headquarters of the Cuban mission to the United Nations. The activists demanded an immediate end to unilateral coercive measures against the country. The activists chanted slogans such as “Let Cuba live,” “Lift the blockade,” “Cuba yes, blockade no,” among others.

Additionally, on November 15, the members of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO) or Pastors for Peace arrived in Havana in the 31st US-Cuba Friendship Caravan to reiterate the support of American people for the Cuban people.

Gail Walker, executive director of the caravan, said that the caravan represents the countless people in the United States who oppose the blockade against Cuba and are disappointed with the foreign policies of the Biden administration. She condemned that Biden has done nothing to eliminate the 243 unilateral coercive measures and sanctions against Cuba imposed by former US president Donald Trump in the midst of the pandemic, and that he has maintained the same hostile policy.

The group, consisting of some 74 people from about 20 American cities, will remain in Cuba until November 26. During their stay, they will hold meetings and workshops with different organizations and tour the educational institutions, historical and cultural centers.

 

Europe

In the UK’s capital London, the members of the solidarity movement with Cuba and the Revolutionary Communist Group of the United Kingdom took to the streets in defense of the Cuban government and against the attempts promoted by the US to destabilize it.

The representatives of solidarity groups with Cuba in Spain held rallies in support of the Cuban Revolution and in rejection of the US blockade. Hundreds of people gathered in the vicinity of the Cuban Embassy in Madrid and at the Cuban Consulate General in Barcelona to extend their support.

In Ireland, the members of the Connolly Youth Movement (CYM) and the Workers’ Party of Ireland mobilized in different parts of the country in support of the Cuban people in their continued fight against US imperialism. They also celebrated Cuba’s successful vaccination campaign, which led to the reopening of schools and international tourism in the country.

In Italy and Greece solidarity actions were organized. The Communist Party of Belarus, the Communist Party of France, the Austria-Cuba Friendship Association, the Network of Intellectuals, Artists and Social Movements in Defense of Humanity -Serbian Chapter-, among others, issued statements rejecting the US attacks against Cuba. Activists, intellectuals and human rights defenders from Portugal and Russia also sent messages of solidarity to the Cuban people and denounced the US attempts to disturb Cuba’s tranquility.

 

Latin America

Social movements across the region went to the Cuban diplomatic missions in their respective countries in support of the socialist government in Cuba and demanded an end to the US interference and its smear campaign against the country.

In Argentina, over a thousand members of social and political organizations such as the Territorial Movement for Liberation, the Argentine Autonomous Workers’ Center (CTA-A), the Evita Movement, the Communist Party of Argentina, the Argentine-Cuban Fraternity Space, among others, gathered with flags in the vicinity of the Cuban Embassy. They extended their solidarity with the people of the sister nation and shouted slogans calling on the Cuban people to stay strong in the face of the US aggression. Slogans such as “Cuba is not alone,” “Hands off Cuba,” among others were heard loudly.

In Mexico, the members of the Communist Party of Mexico along with Cubans living in Mexico, outside the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City, danced for hours, celebrating the country’s achievements such as a successful mass vaccination drive with its own vaccines, the return of 1.7 million children and adolescents to the classrooms without danger of contagion and an influx of tourists in the country.

In Venezuela, the members of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and social movements organized a solidarity action outside the Cuban Embassy in Caracas. The leaders ratified the solidarity of Venezuelan government and people with the government and people of Cuba. They condemned the disinformation campaign and the destabilization plans promoted by the US against the Cuban government.

Social movements in Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, among others, also organized actions in support of the Cuban Revolution and against the US interference and attacks. The Communist Party of Colombia, the left-wing Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front of El Salvador released statements rejecting the US attempts to manipulate Cuba’s reality and promote violence and destabilization in the country. Political leaders from Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua and Venezuela also rejected the US blockade and its recent attempt at regime change.

The Azerbaijan-Cuba Friendship Association and the Palestinian-Cuban Friendship Association  also condemned the destabilization actions promoted by the US to damage the social peace of the country.

President Díaz-Canel, in a tweet, thanked the international community for their support and solidarity actions organized in more than 80 cities across the globe.


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