The vibrant colors of many world flags painted Havana's night sky this Tuesday with the arrival at the capital's José Martí International Airport of the European Convoy of Let Cuba Breathe. The convoy departed from Italy on March 17th as part of the Our America to Cuba Convoy, an international movement aimed at breaking the siege against Cuba by sending aid.
On Neos Airlines flight NO230, a Boeing 787, approximately five tons of medical supplies arrived, which will be distributed in coordination with Cuban institutions. The value of the donations collected is estimated at around 500,000 euros. And it was made possible thanks to the Exchange Agency, as part of a campaign that took place in various countries, and in which solidarity groups and some 700 people, on an individual basis, offered their contributions.
In this regard, Rodrigo Zarza, director for Europe of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, emphasized that this aid, and the fact that Cuba's friends are making the defense of our country an additional motivation in their lives, is of great importance, particularly in these complicated times.
He stressed that it is not only about material support, but also evidence of a high level of awareness within the solidarity movement regarding the particular energy situation we are experiencing due to the Executive Order by which the U.S. government declared Cuba an unusual and extraordinary threat. The shipment also includes solar panels and photovoltaic systems that will help some of our healthcare institutions.
Accompanying the convoy were more than a hundred passengers, representatives of 50 solidarity organizations, labor unions, workers, and political organizations from some 13 European countries, as well as Algeria and Morocco.
Also present were four members of the European Parliament and representatives of the Communist Refoundation Party, People's Power, the Italian Left, and the Network of Communists.
"This demonstrates," Zarza emphasized, "the magnitude of the battle being waged in the world today for Cuba, a battle fought for the example we represent."
