Marco Papacci, president of the National Association of Friendship between Italy and Cuba (ANAIC), told Prensa Latina that his organization supported the motion of solidarity with the Caribbean nation, entitled “Support for the Cuban People and Condemnation of the Economic, Commercial, and Financial Blockade Imposed by the United States of America.”

Papacci highlighted the support provided by the ANAIC chapter in Cuneo for the signing of the resolution, and noted that the push for such official pronouncements from local government entities will extend throughout Italy as part of initiatives to increase solidarity with the island.

The document emphasizes that the US embargo has been in place for over 60 years, the longest in modern history, and was intensified in 2016 with President Donald Trump’s signing of an executive order on January 29th to try to prevent fuel from entering the Caribbean nation.

“The shortage of gasoline and other fuels compromises the operation of essential services, such as public transportation, agricultural and healthcare production, as well as the management of health centers and hospitals, directly impacting the quality of life of Cubans,” the text underscores.

It also refers to the fact that “local authorities can and should promote a culture of peace, solidarity, and international cooperation, in accordance with constitutional principles and Italy’s commitments to the United Nations and the European Union (EU).”

For this reason, this resolution, which was sent to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Italian Parliament, establishes that both the Italian government and the EU must take action to end the economic embargo against Cuba.

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