Photo: Prensa Latina

Brazil Launches Campaign to Help Cuba with Oil

The Unified Federation of Petroleum Workers (FUP) announced that it sent an official letter to the Executive Directorate of Logistics, Marketing, and Markets of the state-owned oil company Petrobras. Requesting a meeting to discuss the possibility of an emergency fuel shipment to Cuba.

This request is part of the “Oil for Cuba” campaign, launched by social organizations, popular movements, and workers in the sector. To pressure the Brazilian government and Petrobras to carry out the aforementioned shipment to the Caribbean nation.

Also the action comes after the executive order by US President Donald Trump. Which threatens to impose tariffs on those who sell or supply oil to Cuba. A measure that seeks to strangle the island nation by depriving it of the fuel necessary for a wide range of activities.

In response to the tightening of the blockade imposed by Washington against the island more than 60 years ago. The Brazilian Movement of Solidarity with Cuba and Just Causes, the José Martí Cultural Association, grassroots organizations, unions, and political parties launched the initiative. With the support of the two national federations of oil workers, FUP and FNP.

In a letter addressed to the Executive Directorate of Logistics, Marketing, and Markets of Petrobras. The former union warned that the recent intensification of trade and energy restrictions has directly impacted supplies to Cuba, which faces humanitarian risks.

Given this situation, the oil workers stated that it is essential to establish an institutional dialogue on viable alternatives. Regulatory and operational aspects, as well as possible avenues for cooperation.

According to the letter, Brazilian diplomacy has already appropriately expressed its position on the matter, but concrete, urgent, and humanitarian actions are needed. “Petrobras, as a state-owned company of a sovereign nation, must get involved to guarantee the supply of oil to the Caribbean nation.” Emphasized Paulo Neves, director of the FUP (Federation of Popular Unity).

This initiative is not an isolated case. Since the news of Trump’s order broke, numerous organizations, activists, politicians, and individuals. In solidarity with the island have condemned the measure and called for a mobilization of efforts to support the Caribbean nation.

In this regard, the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST) and other grassroots organizations in Brazil are leading a campaign to purchase medicines and send them to Cuba.

This was confirmed by João Pedro Stedile, founder and national leader of the MST. Who denounced that the effects of the blockade have severely hampered the Cuban government’s ability to purchase medicines on the international market. Whether due to a lack of access to foreign currency or transportation.
According to Stedile, movements that feel solidarity with the heroic struggle of the Cuban people have. At the very least, an obligation to find a way to alleviate the suffering of those afflicted there and to try to send medicine.

Fortunately, here in Brazil we found a large laboratory willing to supply the necessary medications at wholesale prices. And then we would send them by plane, explained the MST leader. The MST also released a statement asserting that, given the US siege. Immediate solidarity with Cuba is needed from both Brazil and the international community.

In this statement, popular movements, labor unions, political parties, authorities, and prominent Brazilian figures denounced the intensification of aggression against the Caribbean nation and called on the Brazilian government. To take an active role in addressing the serious humanitarian crisis imposed by the US embargo. Amid these calls, the news portal Brasil de Fato reported yesterday that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration is considering. Following the example of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and sending a shipment of humanitarian aid to Cuba. Focusing on medicines and basic food supplies.

According to information provided to the portal by the Brazilian Ministry of Agrarian Development. So the action is being coordinated by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency of the Foreign Ministry.

Each of these reports confirms a scenario marked by calls for solidarity. Including those from Lula himself, who urged the Workers’ Party to help Cuba. And asserted that the island is the victim of a speculative massacre orchestrated by the United States. A cartoon published on the Brasil247 website encapsulates this level of support for Cuba. The image depicts the historic leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro. Pointing an accusing finger at Trump.

“You blocked the oil that goes to Cuba, but we will resist. With something you don’t have: the solidarity and sympathy of the world,” Fidel tells the US president. That work, by cartoonist and journalist Miguel Paiva. It is titled “Cuba Is Not Alone,” and that phrase, here in Brazil, seems well-founded.

With information from Prensa Latina

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