French communists launch initiative against US blockade against Cuba

The French Communist Party (PCF) on Saturday presented, on the second day of its 39th Congress, an initiative to support Cuba in the light of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States and its extraterritorial scope.

PCF leader Charlotte Balavoine told delegates, who are meeting at the Palais du Pharo in Marseille and in the presence of Cuban Ambassador to France Otto Vaillant, that the actions would be taken on two levels: the political level that demands the end of Washington’s blockade for more than six decades, and the practical level with measures of socioeconomic support.

Our campaign aims to demand the end of the blockade and Cuba’s removal from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, as well as get financial and material support at all levels, she stressed.

According to Balavoine, the initiative promoted by PCF National Secretary Fabien Roussel requires the accompaniment of communists in joint work with associations, unions, colleagues, and friends from other regions of Europe, and local, regional, and national authorities.

The PCF leader noted the importance of reaching agreements and alliances with Cuba in areas of cooperation and cultural and sports exchanges to stop the consequences of the blockade, which was reinforced during the Donald Trump administration and maintained by his successor, President Joseph Biden.

Balavoine pointed out that the campaign’s objective is to exert pressure on the French Government, given the impact of the blockade on French companies, banks, and citizens, for whom Washington’s policy prevents normal relations with Cuba and its people.

In her acclaimed speech, she recognized the Cuban Revolution’s achievements in health care, education, and science, including the production of homegrown vaccines against Covid-19, and the value of internationalism shared by this political project and the French communists.