An extensive security police deployment surrounds the Chigi Palace, headquarters of the Executive, where the change of command will take place at 10:30 local time, after which Meloni will meet with the members of the team that he now heads, according to an official statement .

Italian and world public opinion is closely following the first session of the new Council of Ministers, where the initial course to be taken by the most far-right government in this country since the Second World War should be outlined.

The Bell Ceremony, with which the change of command in the government of this country is formalized, was established in 1996 during the delivery of his position by Prime Minister Lamberto Dini to Romano Prodi.

In the act that will take place this Sunday in the Galleons room of the aforementioned building, the new head of government will receive on a special tray the golden bell delivered by Draghi, with which she will lead the meetings of the Council of Ministers.

The current prime minister, 45, began her political career in 1992 in the Youth Front of the neo-fascist Italian Social Movement (MSI) party, later known as the National Alliance, and in 1996 she was already leading the student wing of that political formation.

She was elected deputy for that ultra-conservative alliance in 2006, two years later she became Minister of Youth of the then head of government, Silvio Berlusconi, and in 2012 she founded the far-right Brothers of Italy party, which she has chaired since 2014.

As leader of that political force and of the Group of European Conservatives and Reformists, a position he held in 2020, he advocated the renegotiation of the European Union treaties and of Italy’s membership in the euro monetary community, which raises concerns in that regional bloc.

Her motto in the electoral campaign, with a strong ultra-nationalist content, was “Italy and Italians first!” And among the government’s objectives is, according to observers, to put a stop to immigration. She also speaks out against abortion and same-sex marriage.

(Taken from Latin Press)

Through the Twitter account of the Presidency, it was indicated that the president thanked the Italian friends for the meeting and listened to proposals and concerns regarding foreign investment.

“In the midst of these difficult circumstances, that you come says a lot about your commitment and understanding with Cuba,” he said.

The representatives of the European country expressed the importance of the friendship between both countries and the will to help.

“We did not come to criticize, but to find solutions,” they declared before the highest leadership of the Antillean nation.

Also present at the meeting were Manuel Marrero Cruz, Prime Minister of Cuba, and Alejandro Gil Fernández, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Planning.

Marrero Cruz confirmed to the Italians that updating the country’s economic and social strategy includes foreign participation, with which Cuba is open to hearing proposals.

Relations between the two nations have been strengthened in recent times, as demonstrated by the meeting between Díaz-Canel and Marcos Papacci, president of the National Italy-Cuba Friendship Association (ANAIC), on August 21.

At that time, the Cuban head of state thanked the largest of the Antilles for its support in confronting the demonstrations against Cuba, when the events of the Hotel Saratoga and the help received during the tragedy of the fire in Matanzas.

(With information from ACN)

This is the essence that defines and arms us as a nation and around the world, with more strength in these difficult months of confronting the pandemic, the President emphasized, because for our health personnel, “medicine is not only science, it is also humanism.”

Among the brigade members who took the floor was Dr. René Aveleira Cutiño, a specialist in Hygiene and Epidemiology, who served in Turin. “We were 38 Cubans representing the essence of a country,” he said.

Dr. Luis Miguel Osoria Mengana, specialist in General Comprehensive Medicine and Surgery, one of the youngest to travel to Italy, commented on how gratifying it was to have the opportunity to expand his knowledge, during the hard work carried out over these months, adding, “Know that you can count on young people for whatever is needed.”

At first they saw us as “extra-terrestrials,” recalled Osmani Machado Rojas, a specialist in primary health care who was part of the brigade in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. As the days passed, he said, we became “health professionals providing care to a patient. In the streets and hospitals, the recognition of Cuba never ceased, he said.

Definitely, with our health professionals, Cuba was in Turin, as well as in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and many other nations where they have come to save lives, to leave our essence.

Intellectual and journalist Enrique Ubieta Gómez traveled to Italy with the Henry Reeve brigade, as the chronicler of Cuban collaboration in times of pandemic, the President noted. “When the doctor touches the patient’s hand, speaking with affection, when there is a human relationship, the patient recovers faster. This is not in the books, it goes beyond. And there, beyond, they have all carried the essences they learned well at home,” Ubieta concluded.

(Source: Granma)

AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

Ronniel Montejo Aldana, a pulmonologist, described the experience in Lombardy as unforgettable.

It was very satisfying, encouraging in all ways, something that will be on our minds for a long time, stated the young doctor, who works at the Mario Muñoz Monroy Military Hospital in Matanzas.

During the welcome he received at provincial government headquarters and, especially in his neighborhood, in the Guanabana People’s Council, Montejo shared the satisfaction he feels having saved the lives of a people in need, who sought the help of Cuban doctors.

He recalled several anecdotes to illustrate the struggle against the deadly epidemic in that country, where today the people are grateful for the solidarity of a small nation like Cuba, blockaded by the United States government.

They are extremely affectionate when they talk about Cubans and our altruism, the doctor reported, emphasizing that they worked hard but always had the support and gratitude of the population.

Maikel Manuel Hernández Hernández, another doctor from Matanzas who offered his services in Italy, also received an emotional greeting organized to honor him in his hometown of Calimete.

Moved by gratitude to Cuban medicine and the moral strength of our professionals, more than a few residents of the neighborhood could not hold back the tears. Dozens extended their arms to embrace Maikel, to show their affection and respect.

The willingness to travel again to any place on the planet that needs Cuban medical collaboration was reiterated in Santa Clara by the three nurses from Villa Clara who confronted the new coronavirus in Lombardy, and were welcomed home by Yudi Rodriguez Hernandez, president of the Provincial Defense Council.

Before continuing on to their hometowns, Carlos Armando García Hernández, Carlos Caride Lam and Lázaro Osvel Guerra Gómez held a brief exchange with Party and government leaders in Villa Clara, to whom they expressed their willingness to take on any assignment for Cuba and the Revolution.

“We are at your disposal to fulfill whatever mission you assign us,” stated García, on behalf of the three, as always, reflecting the principles and values that characterize Cuban medicine.

In welcoming them, the president of the Provincial Defense Council recognized their heroism. She presented each of the nurses a statuette of the Heroic Guerrilla, describing them as worthy heirs of the legacy of Fidel and Che, two champions of the Cuban Revolution’s internationalism and solidarity.

Reciprocating the gesture, Caride thanked the people of Cuba and all his colleagues in Cuba who took care of his family and the country while he was away, emphasizing the humanist essence of the Henry Reeve Contingent, an idea of Fidel’s that in the current context has already reached 28 nations to battle the pandemic: “We bring health and life, where others bring chemical weapons and death.”

Lazaro Guerra from the town of Manicaragua said with emotion: “We will never betray the legacy of our Comandante en Jefe, creator of this army of white coats.”

June 20 is coincidentally the province of Ciego de Ávila’s Dignity Day, this year the date three courageous members of the Henry Reeve contingent who saved lives in Lombardy came home.

While the arrival was difficult for Yankiel Ramírez Portal, William Alonso Valdés and Luis Ángel Sánchez Rodríguez, given the length of the separation from their loved ones and their country, “We cannot embrace them all right now,” their arrival in Italy was even more so. This is what Yankiel spoke about with the neighbors and authorities who were waiting for him in the city of Ciego de Avila. “Take care,” he said, “Anyone who has not lived the experience, does not know the true face of the pandemic.”

And careful to modestly use “we,” he recalled how the brigade arrived at a decisive moment for Italy, when 900 cases of infection were being confirmed every day and 2,000 patients were dying. “The streets were desolate, with no one out walking. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of the ambulances, the police, looking for the sick and taking them to the main hospital in Crema, where emergency services had completely collapsed, because many doctors had been infected and others had died.

“We went to do our duty and here we are, standing taller than our palms with pride. Don’t forget that our Comandante en jefe Fidel described us as the army that would go to any corner of the world to bring health and save lives, not to kill.

“It was wonderful to touch Cuban soil, safe and sound. So was the reception when we got off the plane, in Havana. The expressions of affection from the people, after three months without a single hug. Just coming and going to work, with no contact, not even with our own colleagues, to avoid violating the protocols. To arrive here and not be able to embrace you all, man, is difficult for me, but I urge you to continue with social distancing and comply with all the hygienic measures,” Yankiel concluded.

Amidst heartfelt applause, intensive care nurse Eduardo Brito Pérez arrived in his hometown of Las Tunas.

“I didn’t hesitate for a minute when they called me. From the first moment, I was ready to take on this mission,” Brito said, sharing with family members and neighbors his internationalist vocation, demonstrated before in other parts of the world, as a member of the Henry Reeve Brigade, including the African continent during the Ebola epidemic.

Las Tunas and Lombardy share a 23-year history of solidarity. In 1997, the relationship between this eastern province and the regional branch of the Italy-Cuba Friendship Association was signed. In 1998, the first volunteer work brigade from Italy arrived, and since then the Cuban people have always been able to count on their support in whatever battle we were waging.

Although everyone calls him a hero, Eduardo feels that he was only doing his duty and that there was never really any other option for him. “A man should be where he is most useful, where duty calls him. That is why I am proud to say that I returned to my country with my mission accomplished. I am very grateful for the affection shown by both peoples, but above all by my own. I am also grateful to our President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, for his concern and kind words for us.”

Tears of pride, of love, of commitment to Cuba, were shed in welcoming this humble hero. Acknowledgements from the Provincial Health Directorate, his neighborhood Committee for the Defense of the Revolution, union and workplace reflect the gratitude of a people who, for two months now, have applauded him every night and will continue to do so, for those, like him, who have responded to the call of duty within Cuba and beyond.

At 6:46 am, in front of his house in this city, a hero stepped out of a car. And after greeting neighbors and authorities who came to meet him with the coronavirus fist tap, he heard someone call him “father.”

“We receive you with all the love and gratitude of proud children,” Rafael Pérez, Party first secretary in Guantánamo, told Leonardo Fernández, the eldest of the 52 Cuban health professionals who risked their lives to save hundreds in the Italian region of Lombardy. Leonardo thanked him for the expressions of gratitude, “But the heroes,” he said, “are the people, of which we are a part, the people who are closing ranks to control the pandemic, led by an exemplary government and health system.

“In Lombardy, we did what we know how to do: deliver our humanist, revolutionary medicine,” the doctor stated. He spoke of the satisfaction of saving hundreds of lives and the smiles returned. And also of pain and sadness, “We saw Italian colleagues and nurses die, without being able to prevent it, and that is very hard.”

Intensive care physician Leonardo Fernandez, at 69 years of age, has accumulated more than 40 years of professional service, and eight internationalist missions under dangerous conditions, “But I am ready for the next battle, whenever and wherever lives must be saved.”

(Source: Granma)

Expressing gratitude for the assistance being provided by a brigade of Cuban doctors in the Italian region of Lombardy, the Italian region most affected by the new SARS COV-2 virus, the nation’s Communist Party sent a message to the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, and to President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

The letter notes the great value of the brigade’s cooperation, with the Italian public health system at a time of serious national emergency.

“After years of cuts in public health allocations, our health system is today in great difficulty, despite the selflessness and relentless work of our doctors and health workers, in the trenches fighting the coronavirus today, as well.

Sent “on behalf of the Central Committee and the entire Party”, the letter offers thanks to “a small island subjected for many years to a total economic blockade by the world’s greatest power. One of the nations that is providing a great lesson in solidarity and humanity. Your doctors have cured the sick in 64 countries around the world. Thanks to the teachings of Comandante Fidel, they testify to the value and superiority of socialist society.”

The missive asks that a fraternal embrace be conveyed to the extraordinary doctors, the Communist Party, the people of Cuba, and tall those who have worked to protect the socialist society and country, against all attacks. “For 60 years you have been an example and an invaluable resource for all peoples of the world.”

In the final lines of the message, the Italian Communists insist they are more united than ever in the construction of a world of peace and social equality, and emphasize that today, thanks to Cuba, “Also in Italy it has been understood that capitalism provides what is superfluous, while socialism provides what is necessary.”

(Source: Granma)

Never mind that the 52 members of the Cuban medical team in Italy are risking their own lives to save those of citizens of a major European nation that is part of the NATO alliance. Or that Cuba, with its highly successful track record of developing antiviral drugs and providing rapid-response support for victims of epidemics and natural disasters, is a much-needed ally in the international struggle against the worst threat the world has confronted in recent history. For the Trump administration, scoring political points in Florida with crass, unwarranted attacks on Cuba’s humanitarian commitment remains a top priority.

But in this “dire moment of dread and pestilence,” as the writer Ariel Dorfman has described our current crisis, it is obvious that US political and foreign policy priorities must fundamentally change. With the survival of the world at stake, Washington’s punitive efforts to roll back the Cuban revolution have never seemed so petty, and so abjectly counterproductive to real US national security interests, as they do now. Rather than condemn Cuba’s humanitarian contributions to fighting the virus around the world, Washington should be actively supporting them. The most immediate way to do that is to suspend US sanctions that severely compromise Cuba’s efforts to safeguard its citizens at home as well as bring medical services to so many others abroad.

Like all nations, Cuba is struggling to contain the spread of the virus. The number of confirmed cases has expanded from a handful—all brought to the island by foreign tourists—identified on March 11 to 170 as of March 30. Over 1,500 people have been hospitalized as symptomatic, and close to 38,000 are being monitored by Cuban doctors in their homes. The Cuban government has closed schools and hotels as well as the country’s borders to all nonresidents, effectively bringing the tourism-driven economy to a standstill.

But unlike most nations, Cuba’s ability to confront the pandemic is hobbled by severe US sanctions that have escalated under the Trump administration. The trade embargo, almost six decades old, continues to hamper Cuba’s financial transactions and its ability to export and import needed materials. Among other punitive measures, the Trump administration has effectively penalized foreign shipping companies ferrying cargo from other countries to Cuba, impeding the flow of oil, foodstuffs, and other commerce critical to the daily needs of Cuba’s citizenry. Even before the coronavirus crisis hit, the Cuban economy was experiencing chronic shortages. There is such a lack of textiles on the island, for example, that the Cuban government has called upon its citizens to manufacture cloth face masks at home to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Given the globalized threat of the deadly pathogen, the security of the United States, and all nations, depends on international humanitarian deterrence. With millions of lives at stake, a humanitarian-based US foreign policy is the only approach that will advance the war against this existential enemy.

For those reasons, a sanctions relief movement is now underway. Last week, UN Secretary General António Guterres issued a call for the waiving of sanctions against countries such as Cuba, Iran, and Venezuela to ensure that those nations can obtain critically needed medical equipment, food, and other supplies. “In a context of global pandemic, impeding medical efforts in one country heightens the risk for all of us,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, added in a statement. “At this crucial time, both for global public health reasons, and to support the rights and lives of millions of people in these countries, sectoral sanctions should be eased or suspended.”

Fearful that US sanctions could cost the lives of their relatives on the island, Cuban-Americans are urging the Trump administration to “lift the commercial and financial restrictions imposed by the U.S. on Cuba.” A Spanish-language petition spearheaded by a decorated Iraq War veteran, Carlos Lazo, and posted last week on Change.org, implores President Trump to end sanctions that impede Cuba’s ability to obtain food, medicine, and medical equipment and, instead, to “extend the hand of friendship and solidarity to the Cuban people”—at least for the duration of this calamity. As of March 30, close to 10,000 people had signed the petition.

And in Washington, a coalition of policy advocates, trade lobby associations, and human rights groups led by the Center for Democracy in the Americas has called for the suspension of sanctions, restrictions, and licensing requirements that limit remittances, impede Cuba’s ability to import commercial goods, and block or delay donations of medical equipment such as ventilators, test kits, masks, and gloves. “These unprecedented times require us to recognize our common humanity and take immediate action to limit human suffering,” says the declaration, which is signed by the Washington Office on Latin America, Engage Cuba, and the National Foreign Trade Council, among others. “Doing so will demonstrate U.S. compassion to the Cuban people.”

But sanctions relief will also demonstrate US recognition of Cuba as an invaluable ally in a worldwide struggle that supersedes ideology and is redefining the traditional meaning of national and international security. Cuba has received requests for rapid-response medical teams to fight the virus from not only Italy but also Venezuela, Nicaragua, Suriname, Jamaica, and Grenada; it has a role to play in this global battle that far exceeds its size as a Caribbean island nation. In the confrontation with the coronavirus, Cuba, unlike the United States, is heeding the admonition of UN Secretary General Guterres: “This is the time for solidarity, not exclusion.”

(Source: The Nation)

The meeting, organized by the island’s embassy in this country and the Italy-Cuba Business Committee, will be held at the national headquarters of Confesercenti, an association of small, medium-sized businesses of industry, commerce, services, crafts and tourism.

Confersercenti gathers about 350,000 companies with nearly one million workers and its structure brings together 70 professional federations, 20 regional headquarters, 120 provincial and more than 1,000 premises.

Prior to the presentation, the delegation of the Caribbean nation led by Oscar Pérez-Oliva, MSDZ’s Business Assessment Director, will hold bilateral meetings with representatives of important firms of the industrial sector.

Before Rome, the members of the Caribbean delegation visited Padua, where they met with entrepreneurs from that northern Italian city in a meeting in which ambassador, José Carlos Rodríguez, and commercial counselor, Emma Liens, also participated.

The visit to that important Italian economic center in the Veneto region was sponsored by Promex, an entity of the Chamber of Commerce of that city, specialized in advising and supporting companies interested in opening up to the international market.

The MSDZ is an area with a special regime and policies to promote the sustainable economic development of the nation through foreign investment, technological innovation and industrial concentration.

Its objective is to increase exports, achieve import substitution and establish new sources of employment, in constant synergy with the domestic economy. In this area, businesses are promoted in the industrial, agricultural, metal-mechanic, tourist and other sectors authorized by Cuban laws, based on clean technologies and the production of value-added goods and services based on knowledge and innovation.

(Prensa Latina) 

The message, signed by ICAP President Kenia Serrano, was published on the Ministry website.

”It is with great sadness that we have learned of the dramatic news of the devastating earthquake which hit the center of Italy with early estimates predicting at least 120 dead and hundreds of injured,” the message reads.

It also notes that ICAP offers solidarity and support on behalf of the entire Cuban population to all those affected, assured that the Italian people we overcome the difficult times caused by the quake.

According to information provided to Granma by Italy’s Civil Protection Department, the latest death toll stands at over 248 and 400 people have been injured.

(Granma)

Carmine Robustelli, ambassador of the Italian Republic in Havana, speaking to Granma International, highlighted the significance of the event, which was preceded by important business trips of different dimensions, as well as the official visit to the island last year by the President of the Italian Council of Ministers, Matteo Renzi.

Regarding interaction and common interests, Robustelli stressed, “This event is interesting because it brings together a number of entities and covers various sectors. We are specifying the lines of work identified during the visit, and for us it is very important that the commitments of our companies here are long-term, a commitment to stay, as many have done in the last 20 years. We already have a very strong business network in the country.”

Italy’s intention is to expand and increase the range of sectors and work on fulfilling our commitments to Cuba, mainly in trade and investment, but always following the same logic: working together with Cuban institutions and enterprises, so that Italy can be a partner in the island’s development, within the outlined priority areas, the Italian ambassador stressed.

It was also revealed that at the end of this month, an office of the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (I.C.E) will officially open its doors in Havana, the only one of its kind in the Caribbean, according to statements by Mauro Di Tommasi, appointed director of the office. New staff will arrive later this year.

“It is an important effort by Italy,” Di Tommasi told this weekly. “And it will mark a point of departure in relations between the two countries and also a starting point, of assistance, promotion and support, as well as the undertaking of concrete projects.”

The Secretary General of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, Omar Fernández, emphasized the interest to continue combining efforts and manage trade initiatives, which could positively impact increased production of goods and services, a priority for the island, with the added challenge ahead of diversifying international export destinations.

Another fundamental aspect is enhancing the insertion and presence of Cuban exportable items in the Italian market and revitalizing our industrial system. At present, Cuba’s main exports to Italy are forest products – primarily for construction – metal waste and rum.

Celia Labora, director of International Relations for the Chamber of Commerce, explained steps being taken to establish business with Cuba, from the identification of the counterparty to the signing of the contract. She also updated forum participants on the economic performance of the island during 2015 and the measures implemented in this area, creating a favorable climate for business, as well as the distinctive features of foreign trade in Cuba.

(Granma)

The two leaders held a cordial encounter, discussing the positive development of bilateral relations and expressing their intention to broaden economic cooperation and strengthen academic and cultural exchanges. They additionally addressed several issues of current interest internationally.

Accompanying the distinguished guest were Carlo Calenda and Mario Giro, deputy minister of Economic Development and undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, respectively; as well as Italy’s ambassador in Cuba, Carmine Robustelli.

Participating on the Cuban side were Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, minister of Foreign Trade and Investment; Marcelino Medina González and Rogelio Sierra Díaz, interim minister and deputy minister of Foreign Relations, respectively; as well as the country’s ambassador in Italy; Alba Soto Pimentel.

(Granma)