As 94% of Cubans endure extreme poverty, with blackouts lasting over 20 hours in some areas and more than 1,300 political prisoners held by the regime, left-wing Latin American groups are gearing up to travel to Cuba to assert that the Cuban people are "not alone."
This announcement was disseminated by the state-run Prensa Latina, revealing the call for the "1st International Brigade Fidel Castro Ruz." The initiative is organized by the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Solidarity with Cuba and Just Causes and is slated from November 24 to December 7.
The campaign circulates on digital platforms under the slogan "We Return to Cuba," set against a backdrop of anniversaries that the regime has been exploiting all year: the centennial of Fidel Castro's birth, the tenth anniversary of his death on November 25, and the 70th anniversary of the Granma yacht landing on December 2, 1956.
In December 2025, at the suggestion of Miguel Díaz-Canel, the National Assembly declared 2026 as the "Year of the Centennial of the Commander in Chief."
In Argentina, the Argentine Movement of Solidarity with Cuba (MASCuba) will oversee national coordination. Norberto Galiotti, a prominent figure in friendship with the Cuban government in Rosario and a member of the Communist Party, explained to the state media that MASCuba, as a hub for coordinating solidarity actions in the country, will handle its promotion and realization in Argentina.
The Global Outreach and Political Undertones
The declared goal, according to Galiotti, is "to ensure the presence of at least one participant from each province of the country in this Brigade." The activist also shared confirmations from several countries in the region and expressed hopes: "We expect participation from North America and Europe as well."
Liliana Perna, another MASCuba member in charge of coordination, raised the stakes in her statements to Prensa Latina: "The significance of this brigade lies in having participants from all continents to honor Commander Fidel Castro Ruz on the 10th anniversary of his passing into immortality."
She concluded with a statement leaving no doubt about the political nature of the trip: "It will be a universal outcry against the genocidal blockade of the United States government." Perna also announced a second brigade, the South American Solidarity with Cuba, planned for January-February 2027.
A Revolutionary Tour vs. Harsh Realities
The itinerary crafted resembles a lavish ideological revolutionary tour. The brigade members will stay at the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp (CIJAM) in Caimito, Artemisa province. On November 25, a cultural event is scheduled at the University of Havana's steps; on November 26 and 27, they will engage in voluntary work and visit the Fidel Castro Ruz Center.
They will then travel to Santiago de Cuba for an event on November 30, a colloquium about Fidel on December 3, and a march to the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery the next day. The journey will conclude at the Santiago headquarters of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), which was sanctioned by Washington in June 2026 for allegedly being a node of influence and intelligence for the regime.
What the brigade members won't encounter on the official itinerary is the stark reality of Cuba: a nation facing the worst economic downturn in Latin America in 2026, with a GDP contraction estimated between 6.5% and 10.3%, harsh repression of any dissent, and a parasitic bureaucracy entrenched in power.
Perna emphasized that the visit will be "a demonstration that Cuba is not alone." A claim that, ironically, seems much easier to uphold from Buenos Aires than from any Cuban municipality lacking electricity, food, and medicine.
Understanding the Context of the International Brigade to Cuba
What is the main purpose of the International Brigade Fidel Castro Ruz?
The main purpose of the brigade is to demonstrate solidarity with Cuba and to honor Fidel Castro on the 10th anniversary of his death, with participants from various continents.
Who is organizing the brigade and when will it take place?
The brigade is organized by the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Solidarity with Cuba and Just Causes, and is scheduled from November 24 to December 7.
What are some key events planned during the brigade's visit to Cuba?
Key events include a cultural event at the University of Havana, voluntary work, a visit to the Fidel Castro Ruz Center, and a march to Santa Ifigenia Cemetery.