CPI(M) Delegation Concludes Cuba Visit, Delivers Medicines and Reaffirms Solidarity

Havana, Cuba: A delegation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), led by Polit Bureau member Vijoo Krishnan, has concluded its visit to Cuba as part of the centenary commemorations of Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.

The visit highlighted the CPI(M)’s continued solidarity with the Cuban people and its commitment to strengthening international cooperation and solidarity with Cuba amid the continuing economic difficulties faced by the country.

Medicines Delivered in Solidarity with Cuba

During the visit, the CPI(M) delegation visited the Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery and the Hospital for Pediatric Oncology at the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology in Havana.

The delegation delivered cartons of life-saving medicines collected jointly by the CPI(M) and CPI as an expression of solidarity with the Cuban people. The initiative comes at a time when Cuba is facing severe shortages of essential medicines and other necessities, which the parties attribute to the continuing impact of the US economic blockade.

The delegation said the medicine collection and delivery reflected the solidarity of the Indian people and progressive organisations with Cuba during a period of serious economic hardship.

Delegation Visits Fidel Castro and Che Guevara Centres

As part of the programme, the delegation also visited the Fidel Castro Centre, the Che Guevara Centre, and the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).

At ICAP, the delegation met Noemí Rabaza Fernández, First Vice President of ICAP, and discussed issues concerning international solidarity, cooperation and the continuing relationship between Cuba and progressive movements across the world.

The visit to ICAP assumed additional significance following the reported designation of the organisation by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio among Cuban organisations accused of engaging in what the US described as “subversive anti-American activities.” ICAP was subsequently placed on the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list, a move criticised by supporters of Cuba as an attempt to restrict and criminalise international solidarity activities.

CPI(M) Reaffirms International Solidarity

The CPI(M) delegation reiterated its opposition to what it described as imperialist aggression and the economic blockade against Cuba. The party maintained that international solidarity with the Cuban people must continue despite attempts to place restrictions on organisations engaged in people-to-people cooperation and solidarity.

The visit also served as an opportunity to strengthen relations between the CPI(M), Cuban institutions and organisations working for international friendship and cooperation.

The CPI(M) said the delegation's visit reaffirmed its commitment to standing with the Cuban people and supporting efforts to strengthen international solidarity with Cuba.

Members of the Delegation

The delegation included:

• Vijoo Krishnan – CPI(M) Polit Bureau Member and delegation leader
• P.K. Sreemathi – CPI(M) Central Committee Member
• Meenakshi Sundaram – Karnataka State Secretariat Member
• Dharamraj Mahapatra – Chhattisgarh State Secretariat Member
• N. Chandran – Kerala State Committee Member
• B. Venkat – Agrarian Sub-Committee Member
• Anil S.S. – Central Trade Union Fraction Member

The conclusion of the visit marks another step in the CPI(M)'s efforts to strengthen its longstanding ties with Cuba and express solidarity with the Cuban people in the face of economic pressure and the US blockade.