Rome, Feb 17 (Prensa Latina) A delegation of members of the Italian Recreational and Cultural Association (ARCI), and of Social Promotion and Social Cooperation (ACRS) begins a visit to Cuba today, in solidarity support in the face of new pressures from the United States.
A joint statement from these groups, headed by Walter Massa, president of ARCI, considered the largest social promotion organization in this country, and Gianluca Mengozzi, leader of ACRS, indicates that from February 17 to 22 both entities will develop a broad program of activities on the island.
This is “a mission that combines cultural relations, international cooperation and political solidarity, at a particularly difficult time for the country,” the statement emphasizes, noting that “Cuba is going through a serious economic and energy crisis,” aggravated by the persistent effects of the blockade imposed by the United States.
This criminal US policy against the Caribbean nation “has intensified in recent years,” the text points out, noting its worsening after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 29 establishing tariff sanctions for any country that sells oil to Cuba.
“In this context, international cooperation, cultural exchange and solidarity among peoples take on an even more urgent political and human value,” he emphasizes, in the face of “the disproportionate intimidation by the US government and the grave and culpable silence of the international community, with few exceptions.”
With this visit, ARCI and ARCS continue their commitment, which they have maintained for more than thirty years, to the development of solidarity programs with Cuba, “based on the idea that culture is an essential tool for emancipation, participation and development.”
As part of their stay in the largest of the Antilles, the delegates will hold meetings on February 18 with some of the main Cuban cultural organizations, including the Hermanos Saíz Association and the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana.
Visits to cultural centers are also planned for that day, as well as a meeting with the Italian ambassador to Cuba, Simona De Martino, in which the prospects for expanding cooperation will be discussed.
On February 19, the presentation of the book that won the 2025 Ítalo Calvino Literary Prize will take place at the headquarters of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (Uneac), “a cultural and political encounter that takes on even greater relevance today.”
On February 20th, an exchange is planned at the Casa de las Américas, with directors and members of cultural organizations, to discuss the main international problems facing this historical moment, with special attention to the consequences of the economic blockade against Cuba, cooperation and solidarity.
During these meetings, discussions will focus on the development of various initiatives, including the so-called Energy for Life, which ARCI is developing, along with other Italian solidarity, political, social and trade union organizations, to raise funds to finance projects in support of the Cuban people, the source adds.
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