In late January, the Communist Party of Ireland handed over €5,000 to the Cuban Ambassador to Ireland, Bernardo Guanche Hernández, as part of our ongoing solidarity work with the Cuban people and their revolution.
The money was raised for medical solidarity with Cuba, as the illegal US blockade continues to strangle trade, tourism and every aspect of Cuba’s economic and social development. This illegal blockade, now over six decades long, has slowed development but has not stopped the Cuban Revolution.
Today, Cuba has a health system second to none in Latin America, nor many countries across the world including Ireland, north and south, but at a great cost. Due to the blockade, they are restricted in the importation of vital medicines, medical equipment, etc. The US blockade is putting Cuban people’s lives at risk. The USA has placed huge restrictions on tourism to restrict Cuba’s access to US dollars and thereby its ability to buy goods and services globally.
Cuba has an education system the envy of many countries across the world. They have long since ended illiteracy, and all students can go to every level of education for free. Thousands of foreign students study for free in Cuba including students from poorer families from Latin America and even the USA itself. The only condition is that these students must return to the communities they came from and work in their local community to bring medical treatment to working people and the poor.
The Cuban Revolution has transformed Cuba and enhanced the living standards and wellbeing of millions of Cubans, both urban and rural. How much more could it achieve if this illegal blockade was lifted?
That is what the USA is afraid of: the threat of a good example. It is the primary reason why the Trump regime has once again placed Cuba on its list of “State sponsors of terrorism” without a shred of evidence.
The CPI will continue to raise material solidarity but more critically, we will continue to build political solidarity among the people of Ireland for Cuba.
We express our sincere thanks all our members and supporters who contributed in any way to the success of this fundraising effort, this expression of material solidarity.
¡Venceremos!