The event, held at the Nuovo Cinema Aquila Cultural Center in Rome’s Pigneto district on Sunday, brought together representatives of progressive groups from across the Italian peninsula. They responded to the call to create a common front in support of the island in the face of growing imperialist threats from the United States.

The meeting’s theme was “Cuba for Peace: Against Military Aggression and the US Blockade.” The call noted that, following the massive national mobilizations in support of Cuba held across Italy on April 11 and May 28, the importance of coordinating efforts around this common cause became evident.

Cuban Ambassador to Italy, Jorge Luis Cepero, and Political Affairs Counselor, Damian Delgado, attended the assembly on June 7. They, on behalf of their people, expressed gratitude for “so many expressions of solidarity, so much support,” as the head of that diplomatic mission stated.

Cepero pointed out that Cuba lives under the threat of US military aggression and under a tightened blockade by the US government, a blockade of a genocidal nature that prevents access to fuel, in addition to many other economic, commercial, and financial measures.

The ambassador emphasized that “Cuba is a country of peace; we want peace and we defend peace,” and it is not a threat to any nation. However, “if the threat of US military aggression is carried out, we, the Cubans, will exercise legitimate self-defense based on international law.”

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