CUBA’S commitment to healthcare as a human right has meant that the country has achieved a world-renowned healthcare service, despite Cuba’s economy being strangled by the illegal US blockade that was established in 1962 following the triumph of the Cuban revolution.

This has been further exacerbated by the inclusion of Cuba on the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list, with Donald Trump reinstating Cuba following his presidential victory, soon after former president Joe Biden removed Cuba from this list in the final days of his presidency. 

This has all taken a toll on Cuba’s health service — Cuba’s ability to access basic medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, while also being unable to obtain important life-saving medical equipment. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Cuba impressively developed two vaccines as they were blocked out of the global market by the US.

Due to the impact of the blockade, Cuba struggled to obtain syringes during this critical time; however they still managed to vaccinate their entire population. This highlights the cruel intentions behind the US blockade of Cuba and the extra difficulties it poses for the Cuban government.

Due to Cuba’s difficulties in sourcing necessary equipment through regular trading routes, the importance of international solidarity is more important than ever. That is why the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, alongside four Unison regions, set up the Cuba Vive medical aid appeal and now has nine Unison regions signed up.

Set up in January 2024 in response to Cuba’s ongoing struggles, Cuba Vive follows on from previous campaigns, Viva La Educacion and Covid Medical Appeal for Cuba, which together raised over £250,000. The aim of this appeal is to raise funds to buy medical supplies which are in short supply in Cuba, and the appeal is in direct contact with the Cuban health workers’ union, SNTS and the Cuban Ministry of Health to ensure that the correct supplies are prioritised. 

The Cuba Vive medical aid appeal has already raised over £180,000, and has further plans this summer, with another container of aid set to be sent to Cuba. I am proud of Unison’s longstanding solidarity with Cuba, which goes back over 30 years. 

Ismara Vargas Walter, the Cuban ambassador to Britain, has said: “When you contribute to the Cuba Vive medical aid appeal, you are making a statement — that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. You will help ensure that Cuban doctors can continue their vital work at home and abroad. And you are standing up to the injustice of labelling a nation of healers as sponsors of violence. This is not charity, this is solidarity.”

Having travelled to Cuba in both 2024 and 2025, I have seen first hand the impact of the blockade. Blackouts and a lack of supplies are unfortunate features of daily life in Cuba and yet the Cuban people continue to share what they have with the world, whether that be through their international medical brigades, where Cuban doctors are often sent to other countries where additional medical assistance is required, or other displays of solidarity.

In 2022, the Cuban government announced that it would sell Covid-19 vaccines at solidarity prices to low-income countries and send further medical brigades to the global South to increase vaccine distribution.

Cuba is a shining example of resistance and international co-operation. These actions demonstrate the Cuban people’s commitment to international solidarity and also offer lessons on how the working class within Britain can come together and show international solidarity. 

The US’s long-standing aggression does not seem to be waning, and is even showing signs of increasing following the election of Trump. That is why it is more important than ever to express solidarity with Cuba.

Through supporting appeals such as Cuba Vive, raising awareness of Cuba’s ongoing struggles in our trade unions and getting involved with the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, we can ensure that we are doing our part in assisting Cuba against the forces of US imperialism.

Alongside this material aid campaign, we must apply political support to end the blockade and to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. Cuba sponsors peace, not terrorism. 

At the first conference on solidarity among peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America, Fidel Castro remarked: “Our country will pursue its internationalist policy without hesitation and in solidarity with the revolutionary movement worldwide.” And this is the spirit we shall carry forward in fighting for a more just world alongside Cuba. Viva Cuba!

Joseph Mills is a Unison steward in local government.