The 40th Southern Cross Brigade concluded at a historic point for Cuba. During this Brigade, we saw Cuba’s removal from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, only to be included again just hours after Donald Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States. The moment of hope that we felt when President Biden removed Cuba from the list was accompanied with suspicion, and an assumption that Trump would continue with the policy of maximum pressure. Sadly, we were proven correct, and as a solidarity brigade we condemn in the strongest terms the inclusion of Cuba on the list, and the criminal blockade.
If Trump’s first hours as president are any indication of his time as president, our movement will need to respond to further acts of imperialist aggression against Cuba.
Our movement firmly commits to do all we can to end the blockade, and support the will of the Cuban people to determine their own future.
Despite the immense pressure the blockade has placed on Cuba, Cuba and the Cuban people have consistently supported Palestinian liberation, and we are proud to stand with Cuba in this. The announcement of a ceasefire in recent days provides us with hope, but there will still be more to do.
The inauguration of Donald Trump serves as a reminder and a call to action for all those who stand against fascism and imperialism. Sharing this time together with other brigadistas has allowed for discussion on these topics. This 40th edition of the Southern Cross Brigade has also seen us engage in genuine exchange with Cuban people about the lived reality of imperialist aggression. We commit to educate ourselves and others about the horrors of US imperialism, and stand against the campaign of false information.
We have seen first-hand the adaptability, resilience, and humanity of the Cuban people, in the face of a criminal blockade. We are committed to amplifying Cuban voices.
We need to recruit and build the solidarity movement. To this end we have not only begun to build direct connections between our unions, parties, organizations, institutions, but also genuine friendships that will last our lives. Brigades also help us to know our own comrades better, and on this 40th Southern Cross Brigade we have been lucky to have brigadistas on this Brigade who formed significant relationships on previous brigades. To see the strength of those relationships, forged through love, struggle, solidarity with Cuba, has been special for all of us.
These friendships and connections help us continue to learn from and embody the Cuban community spirit. They help us to celebrate Cuban excellence. They help us to continue to develop our awareness of the reality of life in Cuba, and to answer questions. They support academic, industrial, artistic, political exchanges.
The injustice that Cuba faces cannot be separated from its assertion of sovereignty and challenge to the US-dominated capitalist world system. Our movement must stand explicitly in solidarity with the socialist revolutionary project which began with the historic triumph of 1959 and points to a better future for all.
Cuba constantly demonstrates great humanity and care for the rest of the world. In taking our experience home we need to do this as well. Seeing the impacts of climate change after recent hurricanes, has strengthened our commitment to fighting for action on climate change—for our own communities, for our neighbours, for Cuba, and for the world.
We are grateful to ICAP, Amistur, who have created and carried out a program to show us Cuban reality. We would also like to share our appreciation for all the workers who have been with us and who have taken such good care of us.
Our movement needs to take this moment to learn and to grow, and Cuba continues to shine as an example of how to realise a loving, joyful, and generous humanity in all its revolutionary power.
Cuba is not alone!
Abajo el bloqueo!
The 40th Southern Cross Brigade
21 January 2025