London, 14 June 2025 – The Annual General Meeting of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) took place at the NEU Headquarters in London, reaffirming the historic and unbreakable bonds of friendship between the peoples of Cuba and the United Kingdom. The event brought together trade unionists, campaigners, MPs, youth brigadistas and longtime friends of Cuba in a day marked by heartfelt exchanges and renewed commitment to the cause of justice and international solidarity.
One of the most meaningful moments of the day was the special recognition presented by CSC to the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) on the occasion of its 65th anniversary. The award paid tribute to ICAP’s tireless work since 1960 in fostering global solidarity with Cuba, and the Cuban Embassy was honoured to receive the certificate on its behalf.
This tribute was followed by another symbolic gesture: the presentation of the 65th Anniversary Medal of ICAIC (Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry) to the CSC. The medal, awarded in Havana, recognises the Campaign’s long-standing contribution to the promotion of Cuban culture and cinema, particularly through its Screen Cuba programme, which has introduced thousands in the UK to the richness of Cuban film.
A message from Fernando González Llort, Hero of the Republic of Cuba, one of the five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters unjustly imprisoned in the United States, and current President of ICAP, was shared with attendees. Fernando expressed profound gratitude for CSC’s consistent and principled solidarity over the years—from the campaign to free the Miami Five to current efforts such as the #OffTheList initiative and resistance to the U.S. blockade.
In her remarks, H.E. Ambassador Ismara Vargas Walter delivered a powerful message of thanks on behalf of the Cuban people and government. She acknowledged the CSC’s decades of unwavering solidarity—from the early brigades of the 1970s, to the successful Viva la Educación donations, to the current Cuba Vive appeal. She emphasised that these acts are not gestures of charity but expressions of justice, revolutionary love, and internationalist commitment.
First Secretary Pablo Ginarte, also speaking at the AGM, saluted the collective efforts of the CSC and all those in the UK who stand with Cuba. He reaffirmed the Embassy’s appreciation for the tireless work of the Campaign and highlighted Cuba’s continued moral commitment to sovereignty, human dignity, and global cooperation.
A major highlight of the day was the UK première of the documentary “Teresita’s Dream”, produced by Belly of the Beast. The film tells the deeply human story of Cuba’s innovative treatment for Alzheimer’s using the medication NeuroEPO, developed under the limitations of the U.S. blockade. The documentary moved the audience and offered a compelling view into how Cuba, even with limited resources, prioritises compassion, care, and scientific progress for the benefit of its people.
The AGM also featured an important update on the Cuba Vive appeal, which has delivered essential medical supplies and equipment to Cuban hospitals during one of the most difficult periods in the country’s recent history. The balance of this initiative underscores how solidarity, in practice, saves lives and sustains hope.
The Embassy of Cuba in the United Kingdom expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the Cuba Solidarity Campaign and all its members and supporters for their continued commitment to truth, justice, and international friendship. In a world increasingly marked by division and injustice, this solidarity remains a vital lifeline—and a source of deep pride for the Cuban people.
Cuba is not alone.
