On 28 and 30 September, Ambassador Ismara Vargas and First Secretary for Political Affairs Pablo Ginarte attended two events in Liverpool in solidarity with Cuba, organised by the Campaign for Solidarity with Cuba (CSC). These were parallel activities within the framework of the Labour Party's Annual Conference, on this occasion at the public meeting ‘Hands Off Cuba!’, which reaffirmed support for Cuban sovereignty and the humanitarian campaign Cuba Vive Medical Aid Appeal.
The evening combined passionate speeches, audiovisual presentations and an atmosphere of strong political and social commitment; the energy in the room was remarkable and the films shown helped to contextualise the demands and deepen the debate on the effects of the economic blockade against Cuba.
Among those who spoke were the Cuban Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ismara Vargas Walter; MPs Kim Johnson, Richard Burgon and Chris Hazzard; Micaela Tracey-Ramos, Vice-President of UNISON International; Mark Rowe, National Officer of the FBU; Sarah Gilligan, from Unite Young Members; Rob Miller, Director of CSC; and numerous friends and representatives of solidarity organisations who brought different perspectives and experiences to the debate.
At the event, the ambassador denounced the blockade as a form of economic warfare, highlighting its direct humanitarian consequences and condemning Cuba's inclusion in the LEPT.
One of the messages came from MP Steve Witherden, who pointed out that ‘65 years of the US blockade constitute an economic war designed to harm ordinary Cuban families by denying them resources and supplies,’ and called on the international community to demand an end to a policy he described as cruel and outdated. The meeting also served to highlight the humanitarian and cultural work carried out by British and Cuban organisations and to strengthen networks of collaboration in favour of justice and international solidarity.
Desde la Embajada de Cuba en el Reino Unido agradecemos profundamente a todas las personas e instituciones que participaron en “Hands Off Cuba!”; su presencia y sus voces confirman que Cuba no está sola y que, unidos, podemos seguir difundiendo la verdad sobre la realidad cubana, luchar por la justicia y promover iniciativas de ayuda humanitaria y cooperación.