Flotilla "Heading to Cuba" Begins Journey from Spain

The mission is supported by a broad coalition of groups, including Ecologistas en Acción, the Amal Esperanza Association, and political entities such as Podemos, Izquierda Unida, Compromís, Comuns, and Bildu, among others. Before crossing the Atlantic toward Havana, the Open Arms vessel Astral is scheduled to make several stops: Valencia on May 13, Málaga on May 19, Cádiz on May 22, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on May 28.

At each port of call, various public figures, including cultural icons, public representatives, and influencers, will board the ship to voice their support for the initiative. The mission is expected to involve approximately one month of navigation, with the Spanish coastal stages concluding by late May.

In statements to the press, the director of Open Arms, Óscar Camps, reflected on the dynamics of global emergencies and praised the consistent presence of Cuban medical brigades. “These are professionals who are part of a sustained tradition of international solidarity, present in highly demanding scenarios with a continuity that does not depend on media attention; that constant presence has made a difference in many contexts,” he noted.

Camps emphasized that the time has come to reciprocate this practice with action and “return a portion of that solidarity where we can contribute.”

The NGO Open Arms, the Ecoo Revolución Solar Cooperative, and other participants are promoting this initiative to further highlight international opposition to the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba. In a recent interview with Prensa Latina, Camps stated, “We hope to personally deliver all the photovoltaic material to ensure that, at the very least, the hospital's intensive care department can care for newborns and the vulnerable population in need of healthcare.”