FOR an island that has been under such vicious attack since its socialist revolution, Cuba is highly blessed in so many ways.

A beautiful island with a resilience that is hard to find anywhere, Cuba is also able to send top-class diplomats out across the world.

Britain has been fortunate to have received some wonderful representatives from Cuba. The latest in the line of excellent ambassadors to Britain from the Caribbean island is Ismara Mercedes Vargas Walter.

Walter took over on March 4, replacing the popular Barbara Montalvo Alvarez.

Walter, who is of Jamaican and St Kitts heritage, speaks to us from the ambassador’s residence in north London.

She arrived in Britain with a master’s degree in international relations and an already distinguished service on behalf of Cuba which includes a stint at the United Nations and as the Cuban ambassador to the Bahamas.

Walter has also been a member of Cuban delegations visiting the United States for official talks on bilateral matters.

The Cuban representative to Britain may change but the main issues facing the island do not. 

At the heart of the challenges facing Cuba are its relations with the US. So we are fortunate to have Walter’s experience and knowledge to guide our activism in Britain.

The illegal blockade of Cuba led by the US continues to cause major hardship on the island, as does the designation by the US of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.

The ambassador begins by thanking activists in Britain as well as the Morning Star for their support for the Cuban people.

“We know we can count on the Morning Star at any moment and to provide a balanced view. We value and respect that because it’s not very common. We look forward to even more interaction with the paper.

“The solidarity groups in Britain have played a very important role not only in attempting to lift the blockade but also previously for the return of the Miami Five.

“It’s really important to continue exchanges where people from Britain get to visit Cuba and see the truth for themselves.

“There is a real Cuba and a digital Cuba. The propaganda says it is not a safe place and there are police everywhere and people cannot speak freely.”

She adds: “These delegations enable people to see for themselves and to get involved in our agricultural work and demonstrations such as May Day but also to speak with the people for themselves.”

Inevitably the discussion turned towards the impact of the illegal blockade and sanctions.

“There are no significant steps forward in recent times. The blockade is having a huge impact on every aspect of our lives in Cuba.

“Trump decided to strengthen the blockade just before he lost power. Biden said he would change the policy towards Cuba during his campaign but this did not happen. He has kept in place the measures imposed by Trump and this has made our lives even more difficult.”

Walter says Biden has taken a decision to target the finances of Cubans.

“The whole reason for the blockade and sanctions is to deprive the people of Cuba of a better way of life and of food and medicines.

“They are trying to place the population in real hardship so that they will rise up and actively oppose the Cuban government. It’s been like this from the beginning of the revolution.”

Walter says that the inclusion of Cuba on the US’s unilateral list of state sponsors of terrorism had an immediate impact.

“Financial institutions and companies do not want to be punished so do not get involved in trading with Cuba.

“The week the decision was announced dozens of banks were immediately lost to the island.”

She tells us that Cuba also has real difficulties in getting the money from exports of its goods to other countries. Fuel to keep the island running is also a major problem.

She says the US and its allies are “persecuting ships that are attempting to bring fuel to the island. The US is so close to Cuba that its very easy for them to monitor that activity. So we can’t get the products that we need onto the island.”

She adds: “Ships that do trade with us will not be allowed to visit a US port for the next 180 days.”

Walter also points out that the US is also prohibiting things for its own citizens by barring them from travelling and trading with Cuba.

We wonder whether the forthcoming US presidential elections would make any difference to Cuba.

The ambassador says: “We can’t rely on the ups and downs of US politics and we certainly don’t interfere in their elections. We are a sovereign country and want to find our own way to develop our economy.

“The most important thing is how the US can have a civilised and respectful relationship with Cuba. It’s a matter of respect, sovereignty and self-determination.”

The rise of the Brics-plus nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — is something that many activists believe might have an impact in shifting the paradigm in international relations.

“We are certainly seeing more voices around the world arguing for a different way.

“There is much better co-ordination and more common positions being taken through Brics as well as the G77-plus-China that Cuba was proud to represent last year.”

The ambassador adds: “This is a wake-up call that many things taking place in the world shouldn’t be happening this way.”

But Walter is realistic about the limits of these developments when it comes to assisting Cuba.

“In the end, we can’t function properly as long as the blockade and sanctions continue.

“Every financial relationship we enter into will still require us to use banks and the same problem arises that I mentioned earlier.”

On arguably the major international issue of the day, the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinians in Gaza, Walter is able to point out a major principle of the revolution.

“A legacy from Fidel is that Cuba must always be consistent in its approach and this includes extending solidarity.

“We offer solidarity to the Palestinians because it’s the right thing to do and because it is at the core of our revolution.”

The ambassador says that regardless of the hardship Cuba faces, this commitment to solidarity will always continue.

It is clear that Cuba will continue to have fantastic representation in Britain. We should not only celebrate this but look at what more each of us can do to support the Cuban people to defeat the illegal blockade and sanctions against the socialist nation.