Havana, 2 May 2026.- With the still-latent strength of the mass celebrations for May Day, Cuba hosted this Saturday the International Solidarity Meeting "For a world without blockade: active solidarity in the centenary of Fidel", which brought together more than 800 delegates from dozens of countries in the Palace of Conventions, in a strong expression of support for the Cuban Revolution.
From early hours, the Palace of Conventions was the scene of a day marked by political commitment and emotionality. The meeting was attended by the President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, along with senior leaders of the Party, the State and the Government, including Esteban Lazo Hernández, Manuel Marrero Cruz, Roberto Morales Ojeda and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla. Representatives of political organizations, trade unions and solidarity movements from the five continents also participated.
In his words of welcome, Osnay Miguel Colina Rodríguez stressed the significance of the meeting in a complex international context, marked by conflicts, global threats and hegemonic policies, emphasizing the need to strengthen unity and solidarity among peoples.
One of the central moments of the day was the intervention of Chancellor Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, who presented an update on the impact of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba. The Minister denounced the extraterritorial nature and violation of international law of this policy, which he described as the main obstacle to the development of the country and a permanent aggression against the Cuban people.
Subsequently, under the moderation of Fernando González Llort, president of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with Peoples, international representatives shared testimonies of solidarity and commitment to the Cuban cause, reaffirming the validity of internationalism and the need to articulate concrete actions against the blockade.
The day included the reading of the Final Declaration of the Meeting, by George Mavrikos, honorary president of the World Trade Union Federation, in which the global rejection of the American policy against Cuba was reiterated and support actions were called for in all scenarios.
Special significance was the presentation of the International Trade Union Award "Open Heart", which recognized personalities and organizations from various regions for their firm support to Cuba. The winners included representatives from Colombia, Uruguay, France, Germany, the Dominican Republic, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as continental solidarity networks.
The central words of the meeting were made by President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who thanked the multiple expressions of international support and ratified the will of the Cuban people to resist and advance in the face of the adversities imposed by the blockade. The president highlighted the validity of Fidel Castro’s thinking and the importance of international solidarity in defending sovereignty and social justice.
In the year of Fidel’s centenary, this meeting reaffirmed that solidarity with Cuba is not just an accompanying act, but an active practice in the face of global injustices and in defense of a more equitable international order.