The flotilla for Cuba left Mexico, four Italians also on board

The flotilla 'Nuestra America convoy' has set sail from Mexico in the direction of Cuba. The aim is to break the energy blockade imposed in recent months by the United States and bring solidarity aid to the island. A total of three boats are part of the mission. The first, motorised, left from the town of Progreso and is scheduled to arrive in Havana in the afternoon of Saturday 21 March, local time. The other two sailboats, which set sail from Isla Mujeres, are expected to arrive on the shores of the Cuban capital on 23 March.

Four Italians are also on board the boats: Martina Steinwurzel, Umberto Cerutti and Paolo Tangari, members of the European Convoy, the European section of the Italian-led expedition through Aicec (Agenzia Interscambio Culturale ed Economico con Cuba), together with a member of the Camalli from Genoa, Josè Nivoi. "Today we have loaded about a hundred solar panels, essential for homes and schools, as well as about 50 tonnes of goods including rice, oats, beans and medicines already stowed. We are now finishing the last few things and finishing the maintenance and we will be leaving shortly,' said Nivoi, a Calp Usb activist who had participated in the Flotilla to Gaza in September, before the departure. "We still don't know when we will arrive because we have to figure out how many miles the cargo goes. However, we will always stay in the national waters of Mexico and Cuba without crossing the line to avoid US intervention. Our route will be the same as that followed by Che Guevara with the Granma, which is why we wanted to rename our ship'. The reference is to the cargo ship Granma 2.0, the main vessel of the Flotilla.

Today, meanwhile, in view of the convoy's departure by sea to Genoa, a solidarity with Cuba initiative was held, hosted by the San Bernardo circle and organised by Usb, Calp and the Italia Cuba association, with interventions by some of the hundreds of volunteers and activists. The grassroots union launched the 'A drug for Cuba' campaign in recent weeks, with which 25,000 euros of medicines have already been collected. The convoy, some of which has already arrived in Cuba by air, brings together 19 countries, more than 50 associations and collectives, 13 political and trade union movements and 4 MEPs, and has already contributed to the delivery of more than 5 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies. The mission's first actions have already involved the distribution of medicines and basic necessities to Cuban health facilities.