Cuba Solidarity Campaign-Cymru Cuba Ceredigion

03/09/2026

Ceredigion, is far from Cuba, however many people in this west Wales county feel a deep
affection for the island and its heroic people.

The bonds of friendship with Cuba have been greatly strengthened in recent years by several visits to the region by representatives of the Cuban Embassy in the UK.

In November 2024 we were honoured to welcome H.E. Ismara Vargas Walter, Cuban Ambassador to the UK and colleagues from the Embassy to Abersytwyth, for a special visit to the National Library of Wales and IBERS research centre of the University.

And in September 2025, we were thrilled to welcome the Ambassador back to Ceredigion,
to the town of Cardigan as guest of honour at a special screening of 'Cuban Women in Revolution' also attended by Elin Jones AS, Llywydd (Presiding Officer) of the Welsh Senedd.

This was followed by a visit to the El Sueno Festival in Machynlleth.

During these visits the Ambassador met many
people and impressed everyone as a warm-hearted and great representative of the Cuban people.

With the news that Ismara Vargas Walter will be
leaving Britain to work for her country elsewhere,
we share these photos of fond memories of her
time in Ceredigion.

And say :

¡Adiós, nuestros mejores deseos, y que lleves contigo el respeto y el cariño de tus amigos de Ceredigion!

“Farewell, our best wishes, and may you carry with you the respect and affection of your friends in Ceredigion.”

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The photos show the Cuban representatives and Steve Witherden MP beside the Cuban flag proudly flying in Aberystwyth.

At Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan.

And presenting the Collected Works of Jose Marti
to National Library of Wales Director Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan.

03/09/2026

Cuba Solidarity has just announced an incredible £555,000 has been raised by the Cuba Vive Appeal to provide vital resources to the besieged country.

Here, our friend Cuban Ambassador, Ismara Vargas Walter, spells out what this means to the people of Cuba.

Look out for details of local activities coming soon in Aberystwyth to raise funds for the Appeal.

There's a direct link to the Campaign in the shared post and in the comments. Please donate today !

02/09/2026

THE FIRST DECLARATION OF HAVANA —

On September 2, 1960, in response to US imperialism's attempts to isolate Cuba, hundreds of thousands gathered in Revolution Square, Havana, to hear Fidel Castro announce The Havana Declaration, a statement that echoed far beyond the island.

The First Declaration of Havana condemned colonialism, exploitation and foreign intervention across Latin America. It rejected the idea that the destinies of Latin American nations could be decided in Washington.

The Declaration spoke plainly of the rights of ordinary people:

“The right of the peasants to the land;
the right of the workers to the fruit of their work;
the right of children to education;
the right of the sick to medical and hospital attention.”

The Declaration denounced the latifundia, starvation wages, illiteracy, racial discrimination, exploitation and the surrender of national resources to foreign monopolies.

And above all, it proclaimed the right of nations to determine their own destiny.

But Havana did not speak only for Cuba.

It invoked the unfinished struggles of Bolívar, Martí and others and called upon the Latin American peoples to unite for independence and dignity.

The Declaration was therefore far more than a diplomatic document. It was a proclamation of independence from the Empire's domination, a declaration of solidarity with the oppressed, and a call for the peoples of Latin America to make their own history.

And at the heart of that revolutionary spirit stood the words that would become inseparable from Cuba:

¡Patria o Muerte!

And Cuba declared that it would stand with all peoples struggling for dignity, sovereignty and progress.

Today, after over sixty years of the unlawful US
blockade, as Cuba faces a cruel escalation of aggression from the Trump administration, its government and people remain determined to defend the gains of the Revolution and maintain their sovereignty.

We must step up our solidarity with the heroic people of Cuba and demand :

An End to the US Blocklade !

See more on the Declaration in the comments!

01/09/2026

Today, across Cuba, more than 1.4 million children and young people are returning to classrooms as the new school year begins on 1st September.

More than 10,000 schools are opening their doors, with over 135,000 teachers welcoming students.

In Cuba, which faces severe shortages of fuel, electricity and transport as a result of the intensified US blockade, this represents a powerful affirmation of the country's commitment to education and the fundamental belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn.

The escalation of the cruel US blockade of Cuba by the Trump administration, in particular the fuel
blockade has had a devastating impact on the country's economy and society at large.

But the Cuban government and people are determined to maintain their education and health systems, which are recognised as among the best in the world.

And teachers, families, communities and education workers continue to support the Revolutionary government's programme to keep schools open.

As Fidel declared in 1961: “We have to make education the right of all the people.”

That principle remains central to Cuba's vision of education as a fundamental right and cornerstone of social transformation.

A new school year begins under difficult circumstances, but also with resilience, solidarity and hope. Cuban children returning to their classrooms are a reminder that education remains one of the country's most valued achievements.

¡Feliz comienzo del curso escolar!

Solidarity with Cuba !
May the new school year bring happiness, knowledge and friendship to the Cuban Children !
End the US Blockade Now !

31/08/2026

Today we remember Tamara Bunke, better known as 'Tania la Guerrillera' or Tania The Guerrilla, who was assasinated on 31st August 1967 by the Bolivian Army, working under orders of the CIA.

Tania was shot while crossing the Rio Grande river with a contingent of guerrilla fighters making their way to re-group in the nearby mountains.

She was in Bolivia with a clandestine dettachment of revolutionaries lead by Che Guevara, working as radio operator and was the only woman in the unit.

***

Haydée Tamara Bunke, was born in Buenos Aires to German Communist parents exiled in Argentina to escape the N**i regime, she grew up with a firm belief in internationalism and a commitment to the struggle against oppression.

Following the defeat of Hi**er fascism, her family moved to the young German Democratic Republic (GDR) where Tamara studied political science and became active in the Free German Youth. She developed a great command of languages which
led to her recruitment to international political work.

When representatives of the Cuban Revolutionary Government visited Berlin in 1960 she worked as an interpreter for the Delegation and met its leader Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara.

Inspired by the Revolution, she moved to Cuba in 1961, participating in literacy campaigns, construction work and the newly established Federación de Mujeres Cubanas .

Her commitment eventually led her to join Che Guevara’s guerrilla mission in Bolivia. Trained in clandestine work and combat, she adopted the name Tania, honouring young Soviet partisan, Zoya Kosmodenyanskaya, who was cruelly executed by the N**is in 1941.

Initially working undercover, Tania infiltrated Bolivia’s ruling circles, gathering intelligence and supplies for the guerrillas, until her identity was discovered, when she joined them in the mountains, where her skills were deployed maintaining vital radio communications.

Following the brutal slaying of Tania and her comrades in 1967, her remains lay in Bolivia for many years until discovered in 1998 by Cuban investigators after years of determined searching.

She now lies in the Che Guevara Mausoleum in Santa Clara, Cuba alongside her comrades, including Che Guevara, who died in the Bolivian campaign.

Tania’s life of internationalism, courage and self-sacrifice, dedicated to the liberation of Bolivia and Latin America remains an inspiration to all those fighting imperialism and oppression today.

Before her death, she wrote:

“Will my name one day be forgotten and nothing of me remain on the Earth?”

The resounding answer is no !

29/08/2026

On August 29, 1960, just eight months after the triumph of the Revolution, Fidel Castro announced that 1961 would be the Year of Education to eradicate illiteracy in Cuba.

Addressing the first contingent of Brigadistas (volunteer teachers), gathered in Havana on completion of their studies, the Commander in Chief declared :

“Next year, we will wage war against illiteracy. Next year we must set ourselves a goal: to eradicate illiteracy in our country.”

A few months earlier, in April 1960, the Revolutionary government appealed to young people to volunteer as teachers.

In a national television broadcast, Fidel spoke directly to the youth :

“We need a thousand teachers who want to dedicate themselves to teaching peasant children. We need them to help us improve the education of our people so that the peasants learn to read and become useful for any task.”
..But there is one condition, the teachers must be willing to live alongside the peasants, share their experiences with them, and pass on their knowledge to them.”

The people answered this call, and thousands volunteered immediately. Over the following months 250,000 Cubans, 100,000 under 18 and over half of them women, enrolled as Brigadistas.

The National Literacy Campaign began the following year and by the end of the year over 700,000 illiterate people were taught to read and write.

Before the Revolution over 40% of the rural population were illiterate, by December 1961 literacy rose to 96% and Cuba was declared 'illiteracy-free'.

Efforts continued to address the remaining illiteracy, and those who had learned to read and write went on to further studies through the Adult Education programme.

As Fidel declared :

“We will not be content merely with eliminating illiteracy. We will continue learning and teaching; we will continue studying and providing the people with opportunities to study. Eliminating illiteracy is nothing more than a first step. New steps will follow, and new battles will come, because our people must set themselves the goal of studying, improving themselves, and knowing more each day.”

Today literacy in Cuba stands at 99.8%, one of the highest rates in the world.

26/08/2026

Today, 26th August, the Namibian people celebrate
Heroes Day as they mark the 60th anniversary of the SWAPO's launch of the armed struggle against the apartheid colonial regime.

The South West Africa Peoples Organisation (SWAPO) under the leadership of Sam Nujoma, fought a long and bitter struggle to finally win independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.

The government and people of Cuba, in keeping with its tradition of internationalism, played an important role in supporting Namibia’s liberation struggle, providing critical miltary support to neighbouring Angola in 1975, as the apartheid regime and its US allies threatened the independence of the newly-free state.

Cuban internationalist forces supported their Angolan brothers against racist South Africa's invasion, helping secure Angolan sovereignty, and weaken the racist regime's capacity to wage war on SWAPO bases.

The decisive moment in shifting the balance of forces in favour of the liberation movement was reached in 1987-88 at the historic battle of Cuito Cuanavale.

This great victory of the Cuban internationalists, Angolan forces and SWAPO combatants against the US backed forces of the apartheid regime and its allies lead to negotiations that produced the 1988 Angola–Cuba–South Africa agreement, and opened the way for implementation of UN Plan for Namibia’s independence.

Thousands of Cuban internationalists fought for freedom alongside Angolans and Namibians in southern Africa and many sacrificed their lives in the struggle for African freedom.

Recognising Cuba's heroic role in supporting the struggle, Nelson Mandela later said :

"The Cuban people hold a special place in the hearts of the people of Africa...."

Since the triumph of the Revolution in 1959, Cuba
has stood with the peoples of the world in their struggles against imperialism.

Now we must stand with Cuba !

25/08/2026

Solidarity on the Seafront in Aberystwyth.
We share a report and photos of last Saturday's
Silent Barefoot Walk.

23/08/2026

On 23rd August 1960, just 18 months after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, the Federación de Mujeres Cubanas (Federation of Cuban Women) was established in Havana.

With Vilma Espin, as its founding leader,
the Federation worked to transform Cuban society,
in a process described by Fidel as 'The Revolution
Within The Revolution'

Since the Revolution Cuban women have made great advances in all fields of life from health and education to political and economic empowerment.

The FMC now has more than three million members, some 80% of the female population, is the largest mass organisation in Cuba and the biggest womens organisation in Latin America.

Today, as the Cuban people face the devastating impact of Trump's cruel siege of their country, the Cuban women are in the forefront of defending the gains of the Revolution and resisting the ravages of US imperialism.

Long Live the FMC !
Solidarity with Cuba !

21/08/2026

Don't forget to join us tomorrow in Aberysywyth at 2pm.
All welcome, full details in original post.

🕊️ PROTEST & SPONSORED BAREFOOT SILENT WALK FOR GAZA

📍 Aberystwyth Prom
📅 Saturday 22 August
⏰ 2pm

Start: Marina by the RNLI, South Beach
Finish: Constitution Hill, North Beach

Everyone is welcome. 🤍

We will walk silently, in single file, along the Prom, accompanied by a slow, mournful drum.

🦶 Bare feet are encouraged, but shoes are absolutely fine.

🖤 Please wear black if you can.

🚶 You don’t have to walk the whole way.
If you can’t manage the full distance, you can join us at the pier or bandstand.

🤍 WHY WE ARE WALKING

This is both a protest and a sponsored fundraiser.

We are raising money for Ziad, his pregnant wife Lulu, and their 6-month-old daughter Celine, who are living in Gaza.

Donations help the family pay for food, water, rent, baby food and nappies, as well as the medication and nutritional support Lulu urgently needs during her pregnancy, and pain medication for Ziad’s back injury.

🪣 HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you are joining the walk:
Please donate if you can, and ask your friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you.

💷 Please bring cash if possible. A card machine will be available at the start, but there may be no signal at the finish.

If you can’t join us:
You can still support the family by donating.

🌐 If donating online, please add “walk” after your name — or after “anonymous” — so we can identify donations connected to the walk.

https://chuffed.org/project/167573-help-zaid-nasar-to-survive?fbclid=PARlRTSAR9CZNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaepZk50Up0mpcirmtZ9ylfKihgPmJgV3eMfh2JpqfyucdaG5TbU_DUQH7EC1w_aem_u5yjYrkcKqFDOvxmDhAu2Q

________

🕊️ PROTEST A GORYMDAITH DAWEL DROEDNOETH A NODDIRDIOLED I GAZA

📍 Prom Aberystwyth
📅 Dydd Sadwrn 22 Awst
⏰ 2pm

Cychwyn: Y Marina ger yr RNLI, Traeth y De
Gorffen: Constitution Hill, Traeth y Gogledd

Croeso cynnes i bawb. 🤍

Byddwn yn cerdded yn dawel, mewn rhes sengl, ar hyd y Prom, gyda drwm araf, galarus yn ein hebrwng.

🦶 Anogir cerdded yn droednoeth, ond mae esgidiau yn hollol iawn.

🖤 Gwisgwch ddillad du os gallwch.

🚶 Does dim rhaid i chi gerdded y pellter cyfan.
Os na allwch gerdded yr holl ffordd, mae croeso i chi ymuno â ni wrth y pier neu’r bandstand.

🤍 PAM RYDYN NI’N CERDDED

Mae hon yn brotest ac yn ymgyrch godi a***n drwy noddi.

Rydyn ni’n codi a***n i Ziad, ei wraig feichiog Lulu, a’u merch Celine, sy’n 6 mis oed, sydd yn byw yn Gaza.

Bydd rhoddion yn helpu’r teulu i dalu am fwyd, dŵr, rhent, bwyd babi a diapers, yn ogystal â’r feddyginiaeth a’r cymorth maethol sydd eu hangen ar Lulu ar frys yn ystod ei beichiogrwydd, a meddyginiaeth i leddfu poen cefn Ziad.

🪣 SUT ALLWCH CHI HELPU

Os ydych chi’n ymuno â’r orymdaith:
Rhowch gyfraniad os gallwch, a gofynnwch i’ch ffrindiau, teulu a chydweithwyr eich noddi.

💷 Dewch ag a***n parod os yn bosibl. Bydd peiriant talu â cherdyn ar gael ar y dechrau, ond efallai na fydd signal ar gael ar y diwedd.

Os na allwch ymuno â ni:
Gallwch barhau i gefnogi’r teulu drwy wneud rhodd.

🌐 Os ydych chi’n rhoi a***n ar-lein, ychwanegwch “walk” ar ôl eich enw — neu ar ôl “anonymous” — fel y gallwn adnabod y rhoddion sy’n gysylltiedig â’r orymdaith.