The designation of Saturday, March 21 as the International Day of Solidarity with Cuba was announced today in Havana. The date coincides with the scheduled arrival on the island of a significant portion of the "Our America" solidarity support convoy.

At a press conference held with some of the organizers of the initiative — which has brought together more than 500 activists from over 30 countries across all continents and collected approximately 20 tons of donations destined for the island — participants reported that demonstrations are planned in streets, squares, and public parks in cities around the world.

David Adler, coordinator of the Progressive International, reaffirmed the need to build, from this gesture, an International Solidarity Front with Cuba that unites the solidarity of millions of people worldwide. He cited ongoing efforts by the current U.S. administration to intensify its siege policy against the largest of the Antilles and to isolate the Caribbean nation from the broader international community.

Adler conveyed the deep gratitude of participating organizations toward the Cuban people for their embrace and welcome of the activists, noting that the convoy members have been able to witness firsthand the immeasurable human consequences of the crisis that began with — and has been worsened by — the blockade imposed on the island.

He noted that in the face of the dangers posed by Washington's imperialist ambitions, one cannot ignore a system of collective punishment directed against an entire people, designed to subjugate them through poverty and deprivation — a policy he described as a crime against all of humanity.

"The continent finds itself at a particularly difficult moment in hemispheric history, in which an empire seeks to recolonize the Americas. In that context, the path must be blocked. The 'Our America' convoy will be the spark for a much larger mobilization," he emphasized.

Manolo de los Santos, executive director of The People's Forum of the United States, stated that the time has come to challenge the blockade, to put the bodies and lives of activists alongside the Cuban people, and to declare that they will not accept another Gaza on the planet. He added that they appeal to the courage and bravery inherent to Cubans to confront this threat to global peace and security, with the conviction that turning one's back on the largest of the Antilles in this moment is equivalent to turning one's back on humanity itself.

De los Santos also referred to a donation valued at half a million dollars in solar panels and accompanying equipment. Although the U.S. government granted a special license for the contribution, the blockade prevents any shipping company from sending it directly from the United States to Cuba, making it necessary to route the shipment through a third country — thereby substantially increasing costs.

Both leaders agreed on the priority of shifting the narrative within the United States itself and raising public awareness of the situation in order to position domestic opinion against what they characterized as a crime. In their view, the value of the effort cannot be measured solely in cargo, as the primary contribution lies in actively opposing U.S. policy toward Cuba.

This perspective was echoed by Member of the European Parliament Emma Fourreau, who noted that in the face of imperialism's offensive, friendship and solidarity among peoples is the appropriate response. Also present at the press conference were fellow MEPs Marc Botenga and Ilaria Salis, along with other convoy members already in Havana.