Why Activists from 11 Countries Sailed to Cuba

After five days at sea, the Nuestra América flotilla sailed into Havana harbor carrying 14 tons of humanitarian aid, including 73 solar panels, medicine, food, and hygiene supplies. The aid was delivered by 32 people from more than 11 countries.

They came from the United States, Brazil, Italy, Europe, and beyond. Some have been bringing aid to Cuba for years, stuffed into suitcases on solidarity brigades.

"My government is the one imposing these cruel sanctions and economic warfare on the Cuban people," said an activist from the United States. "And this has been happening for over 60 years."

“The world owes Cuba,” said Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian activist. “Cuban doctors were among the first to fight Ebola in Africa. They went to Italy during COVID-19. That's why Italians are on this boat.”

TRANSCRIPT

The world owes Cuba a great deal, and now it’s time to give back, because Cuba has shown the most solidarity in the world. It has sent medical brigades to every corner of the globe, doctors who fought Ebola in Africa, said Thiago Ávila, Brazilian activist and member of the Nuestra América Flotilla..

“After 5 days of sailing, the first boat of La Flotilla Nuestra América is already here in Havana, Cuba,” said Liz Oliva Fernández, journalist with Belly of the Beast.

“I’ve been coming here in the brigades and bringing aid to Cuba in suitcases,” said Lizzie, Brazilian activist and member of the Nuestra América flotilla.

“Then we thought: ‘Ok let’s go to Cuba by boat and take even more things,’” she added.

“We know that Cuba is under siege,” the activist said.

“A commercial blockade that prevents Cuba to be able to give its people what it needs to survive,” Lizzie explained.

“I’m from the United States,” said Olivia Dunuti, U.S. activist.

“My government is the one imposing these cruel sanctions and economic warfare on the Cuban people,” Dunuti stated.

“And our policies are stifling and strangling the people of Cuba through economic warfare,” she added.

“Which are sanctions,” the U.S. activist continued.

“And this has been happening for over 60 years,” she emphasized.

“The 32 people on board from more than 11 countries brought 14 tons of humanitarian aid,” Oliva reported.

“Medicine, hygiene products, food,” the journalist added.

“And 73 solar panels,” she continued.

“We are used to carrying out humanitarian actions trying to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza,” Ávila said.

“Where we face bombings and attacks,” he added.

“But here, the reception was different solely because since 1959 Cuba has remained a symbol of sovereignty and dignity,” the Brazilian activist explained.

“The least we can do is to supplement that,” Dunuti said.

“By bringing directly things like solar panels,” she added.

“The medical supplies to provide the health care system,” the U.S. activist continued.

“That works significantly better than some of ours do in the U.S. through the private health care system,” she explained.

“And the food,” Dunuti added.

“Because when you cut fuel, you cut access to be able to light a fire,” she said.

“For a stove to cook,” the activist concluded.

“Still, no amount of aid will truly solve the problem,” said Martina Steinwurzel, Italian activist and member of the European Convoy.

“The only real solution is to end the blockade,” Steinwurzel stated.

“To lift the siege,” she added.

“And that decision lies with one person,” the Italian activist continued.

“What we can do is raise awareness among our people,” she explained.

“Our fellow citizens, and our governments,” Steinwurzel added.

“It’s amazing to come here to a country that needs our support,” said Lizzie.

“And is like the guide for us in Latin America,” she continued.

“On resistance and how to take care of our sovereignty,” the activist added.

“Cuba remains a beacon of solidarity, a beacon of hope,” Ávila said.

“What this boat proves is that solidarity cannot be blocked,” he concluded.