An event in the Brazilian city of São Paulo brought together unions, social movements, and political forces to support Cuba, denounce the blockade currently maintained by the United States against the island, and promote concrete acts of solidarity.

The activity, held yesterday at the Casa de Portugal in that city, was organized by the Union of Official Education Teachers of the State of São Paulo (Apeoesp) and gathered representatives from various sectors committed to the defense of Cuban sovereignty.

During the meeting, participants agreed in denouncing the impact of Washington's economic, commercial, and financial blockade on the daily life of the Cuban people, while insisting on the need to transform solidarity into concrete and sustained actions.

The Secretary of Administration and Finance of the Central Workers' Union (CUT), Ariovaldo de Camargo, stressed the importance of active solidarity and, after recounting recent experiences in Cuba, assured that he was able to directly witness the effects of the economic siege on the population.

It was possible to perceive what the criminal economic blockade that the United States imposes on the population means, the leader stated, according to a note published on the CUT website.

De Camargo defended the construction of permanent initiatives, proposing mechanisms such as the sending of supplies and so-called solidarity tourism.

For her part, state deputy María Isabel de Azevedo Noronha criticized U.S. policy and linked it to other international actions, denouncing attacks against countries such as Venezuela and Iran and linking them to Donald Trump’s interest in oil.

Furthermore, she mentioned rare earth elements, warning that Brazil possesses the second-largest reserve in the world and that the U.S. president has his sights set on the resources of the South American giant.

According to the CUT portal, the act, which had the support of various entities, also featured an intervention by the Consul General of Cuba in São Paulo, Benigno Pérez, who rejected narratives that present the island as a failed country.

Cuba is not a failed state. Cuba is a besieged state, a state in economic war, he affirmed, highlighting the Caribbean nation's capacity for resistance despite the difficulties.

In turn, the intellectual and Dominican friar Frei Betto provided a historical perspective, highlighting Cuba's role in international solidarity and noting that its Revolution has been characterized for more than six decades by its commitment to oppressed peoples.

He also insisted on the need to correctly name the U.S. policy. Let’s not use the word embargo; let’s use the word blockade. The blockade is a crime, he expressed.