Cuba Speaks: Cuban MPs address packed meeting in Westminster
Campaign News | Tuesday, 27 October 2026
A packed public meeting organised by CSC in Parliament on Wednesday 21 October heard directly from three Cuban MPs, visiting Britain on a delegation organised by the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (BGIPU). Dr Enrique Alemán Gutiérrez, President of the Cuba–UK Parliamentary Friendship Group, Marta Hernández Romero and Carlos Rafael Fuentes León, all members of Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power, spoke powerfully about the worsening humanitarian situation on the island.
Steve Witherden MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Cuba, welcomed his Cuban colleagues and detailed the work both he and the APPG had done this year. Steve noted the success of the early day motions tabled this year, condemning the escalating sanctions and calling on the British government to act.
Responding to questions from CSC’s chairperson Kevin Courtney, the Cuban MPs described the devastation caused by the US’s new sanctions this year across Cuban society.
A medical doctor by profession, Dr Enrique Alemán Gutiérrez spoke with pride about how Cuba’s medical system has been “able to serve people all around the world.” However, Dr Gutiérrez described how the system is struggling to “deliver even basic health and medical services in Cuba without electricity.”
Marta Hernández Romero spoke of a similarly difficult situation in Cuba’s schools. “We built a truly inclusive system, where all children receive a quality education in our schools. All that has allowed us to achieve high levels of academic and professional achievement.” But, she said, the impact of the blockade this year has imposed unimaginable difficulties. “Some children are unable to reach their schools and they are suffering through constant blackouts and a lack of food in the schools.”
Putting this year’s escalation into a wider context, Carlos Rafael Fuentes León described a policy of economic asphyxiation lasting more than six decades. Carlos detailed how Trump’s executive orders, and the raft of additional sanctions imposed this year, have systematically targeted all of Cuba’s principal sources of income – from tourism and medical cooperation programmes, to nickel mining – as well as the financial sector and shipping. “There are huge risks for financial companies and shipping companies who continue to engage with Cuba”, he said.
Addressing the possibility of military aggression against the island, Dr Gutiérrez stressed the importance of other nations actively denouncing such threats. While emphasising that Cuba is a nation of peace, and has actively sought respectful engagement with the US based on mutual understand, he said Cubans are not afraid of war. “The Revolution that we built, and the country we have, was made with lots of sacrifice and blood and we are preparing ourselves for a war we don’t want.”
Carlos similarly highlighted the resilience of the Cuban people in confronting US aggression. “How many countries could survive like ours, with only one ship of oil all year?” he asked. He set out the country’s constant search for “alternatives to help us keep going”, citing the 176 reforms introduced this year aimed at “strengthening the economy and developing our regions.”
Reflecting on the importance of international solidarity, Marta quoted Fidel, who highlighted that “solidarity is not giving what you have left over, but giving what you have.” On behalf of Cuba’s National Assembly and her compatriots, she thanked all those in the room and all those in Britain who have stood with Cuba for “sharing what you have.”
Closing the meeting, Richard Burgon MP and Jeremy Corbyn MP reflected on their time in Cuba earlier this year and the pressing need to strengthen the solidarity movement in Britain. “We have a duty as human beings to oppose oppression and stand in solidarity with those facing oppression, wherever they may be in the world”, Richard said. “There is no nation of people more deserving of our support than Cuba.”
