US embargo on Cuba, the Di Battista affair also sheds light on the difficulties of the Calabria region

Alessandro Di Battista, an Italian politician, found himself in a critical health situation while in Cuba, drawing attention to the challenges faced by the Cuban healthcare system under U.S. sanctions. The incident has highlighted the difficulties of accessing adequate medical care, reliance on institutional support, and the need for cooperation among national authorities. Di Battista received initial treatment in Santa Clara before being transferred to the Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital in Havana, one of the country's largest medical facilities. There, doctors, nurses, and support staff work tirelessly to manage severe cases alongside a high volume of routine patients. The hospitals in Cuba face insurmountable challenges, including power outages caused by the U.S.-imposed restrictions on oil supplies and shortages of medicines, reagents, and essential materials due to tightened embargoes. These sanctions have further limited Cuba’s commercial options and access to international financial instruments, deterring foreign businesses and countries from engaging economically with the island. Despite claims by the Trump administration that these measures aim to target the economic and financial capabilities of the Castro family, the real impact falls on ordinary citizens who struggle to obtain basic goods and services. Recent findings by UN experts emphasize that unilateral American sanctions disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as children, the sick, cancer patients, and residents of rural areas. They argue that depriving populations of necessary resources to survive violates fundamental human rights and undermines human dignity. The damage extends beyond the 10 million Cubans affected, as Washington has exerted pressure on several countries to halt Cuban medical missions abroad. Nations such as Guatemala, Honduras, and Jamaica have ended these missions despite local healthcare needs, risking longer wait times for medical care in underserved regions. The Calabria region in Italy has remained steadfast in its support for the Cuban medical mission, which provides crucial assistance to locals and tourists through emergency rooms and other healthcare facilities. This support helps alleviate strain on a struggling regional healthcare system. Locals appreciate the professionalism, meticulousness, and humanity of the Cuban medical staff, often referring to them colloquially to describe attentiveness and thoroughness. However, this support is now at risk following new sanctions targeting the Cuban company managing these missions. The bank account used by the Cuban medical mission in Italy has been frozen, though it is unclear whether this directly results from the latest sanctions. Similar situations have occurred with previously sanctioned sectors and companies. If Italy and Europe fail to implement protective measures against these extraterritorial U.S. sanctions, their citizens could suffer consequences as well. Urgent action is needed for Italy and Europe to counter these unilateral and extraterritorial sanctions, especially considering the ongoing situation in Cuba.