CWU president Andrew Mercer has urged branches to follow the national lead and back the Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC).

Mr Mercer made the remarks in closing a fringe at the union conference today, which heard contributions from CWU young worker James Mason, CSC’s Natasha Hickman, and first secretary at the Cuban embassy Carlos Rafael Rodriguez Melendez.

Mr Melendez outlined the damage being done to Cuban’s health and economy through the decades-long US blockade.

Making clear the value of international solidarity as US President Donald Trump moved as recently as last week to further tighten the blockade, he told delegates: “Comrades, the United States government believes that by cutting our oil, by shutting off our lights, and by starving our networks, they can extinguish the spirit of the Cuban revolution.

“They believe that in darkness we will surrender.

“They do not know Cuba, and they do not understand the power of the global working-class solidarity.”

He thanked friends of the Communication Workers Union for their support for the Cuban Vive Medical Appeal, adding: “Thank you for your time, for your leadership, and your historic friendship.

“Cuba Vive!”