The 20th edition of the Latin American Conference 2025 took place on 8 February at the Hamilton House in London, the headquarters of the National Education Union (NEU), where academics, trade unionists, politicians and activists exchanged views and ideas during the 20th edition of the conference. In this great event, the main challenges facing Latin America were debated, with an outstanding participation of Cuba, where its unwavering commitment to the defence of oppressed peoples and regional integration was highlighted, receiving wide support, especially among the young audience.
During the various working sessions, crucial issues such as Latin American unity and Cuba's role in the defence of just causes were addressed. One of the central debates was on the possible repercussions of Donald Trump's second term in office on US foreign policy towards the region. In the panel entitled "Trump: The Aftermath", doctor and activist Aleida Guevara, daughter of the historic leader Che, Cuban Ambassador Ismara Vargas and historian Vijay Prashad analysed the impact of the policy of "maximum pressure" exerted against Cuba, proposing strategies of resistance in the face of increased hostility. In her speeches, Vargas, who emphasised that "Cuba is not an enemy of humanity, but a staunch defender of the rights and welfare of peoples", generated deep appreciation among the audience and valuable exchanges.
Cuban representation and the promotion of community projects
Cuba was represented by Congressman Enrique Alemán, doctor and doctor in Anthropological Sciences, who also holds the presidency of the Federation of Spiritualists of Cuba and coordinates the Platform for Interreligious Dialogue. During his intervention, Alemán spoke about the Quisicuaba project, a community initiative in the neighbourhood of Los Sitios that promotes culture, health and education, and which has received recognition from UNESCO. In the session "Cuba Vive - End the blockade on health", both Aleida Guevara and Aleman discussed the devastating effects of the US blockade on Cuban public health, highlighting the important contribution of the Cuba Vive appeal of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, which has raised more than £150,000 for the solidarity shipment of medical supplies to mitigate the consequences of the blockade.
Solidarity with just causes
In the panel "ALBA: Regional Integration for the Peoples, the Planet and Peace". Together with Venezuelan Ambassador Felix Plasencia, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy Pablo Ginarte and activists Sam Browse and Helen Yuill, the ALBA-TCP model of cooperation between Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua and its effectiveness in the fight against imperialist policies was highlighted. In addition, the session "Long live Palestine! Latin America in solidarity", Aleida Guevara, Marwan Yaghi and Gawain Little reaffirmed Latin America's support for the Palestinian people and denounced the crimes perpetrated in the region.
The conference also paid tribute to Cuba's historic contribution to the liberation of Angola, 50 years after the emblematic Operation Carlota. During the panel dedicated to this milestone, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy Carlos Rodríguez highlighted Cuba's decisive role in the fight against apartheid in Africa and its transcendental influence in the history of the decolonisation of the continent.
The transformative power of Cuban culture
Beyond the political and social debates, the Latin American Conference 2025 was a platform for the defence and promotion of Cuban culture. In the session "Screen Cuba: Films to change the world", documentaries by iconic filmmaker Santiago Álvarez were screened, reaffirming the role of art as a tool for resistance and social change. A preview of a festival that in its second edition will also present shorts, films and animated films that will tour several cinemas in the London city and other British cities; as well as academies where part of Cuba's film history will be shown.
A message of unity and hope
The Latin American Conference 2025 has once again demonstrated the validity of the struggle of the peoples of Latin America and the need to maintain unity in times of crisis. Cuba's outstanding participation in this event consolidates its commitment to regional integration, international solidarity and the defence of the rights of oppressed peoples, reaffirming its role as a bulwark in the promotion of peace and global cooperation.