The BWI 5th World Congress held in Madrid in 2022 adopted the Resolution "Against the blockade of Cuba", reaffirming our collective commitment to sovereignty, self-determination of peoples and the defence of democratic societies. It is now urgent to act to reaffirm this commitment and support the working people of Cuba and its trade unions.

The situation in Cuba is seriously deteriorating in what could be the most difficult moment since 1959. The prolonged embargo/blockade imposed by the United States has had a profound and structural impact on the island's economy. In addition to the historic ban on sugar exports to the US market and the veto on US investment - in place since the 1960s - additional measures were adopted during the Donald Trump administration, such as restrictions on travel by US citizens (leading to a collapse in tourism) and strong pressure on international banks, which have severely limited Cuba's access to credit and financing.

Recent changes in the regional landscape, particularly the events of 3 January in Venezuela and the geopolitical tensions that followed, further aggravate the island's energy and economic situation. The interruption of Venezuelan oil supplies exposes Cuba to an extreme energy crisis, with blackouts affecting more than 60% of the country simultaneously due to fuel shortages.

This situation, in the context of a prolonged blockade, constitutes an aggression that directly impacts the Cuban people, its working class and their families, their living conditions, their rights and their future. Therefore, such measures must be rejected by the international trade union community committed to international law, multilateralism and peace.

Call for Solidarity with the Cuban people, their workers and SNTC

The Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) calls on its affiliates to express their solidarity with the Cuban people and, in particular, with the National Union of Construction Workers of Cuba (SNTC), a special associate member of the BWI, through the "Workers of the World with the Cuban People" campaign.

The BWI calls on its affiliated organisations to send video messages addressed to the Cuban people, its workers and their families. These messages will be broadcast publicly, including in the national media.

Guidelines for recording videos:

• Record in horizontal position (landscape format).
• Maximum duration: 90 seconds.
• Begin by stating: Name, Position, Organisation, Country, that your organisation is affiliated to the Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI).
• Use the best possible resolution (HD or 4K ideally).
• Record in a quiet, well-lit place, preferably with front lighting.

Submitting videos:

• You can send the link (Google Drive, OneDrive or WeTransfer) via email to comunicacion@bwint.org, cc. ernesto.marval@bwint.org
• You can send the file via WhatsApp to: +507 6074 0968 or +55 19 99913 8764
  Deadline: 15 March 2026

Suggested lines of focus for the union message

• Defence of the right to sovereign development and growth with dignity.
• Rejection of unilateral coercive measures. Solidarity with the working class, their families and the Cuban people, from a perspective of hope and future.
• Promotion of dialogue, international cooperation and peace.

Confident in your internationalist commitment and in the strength of global trade union solidarity, we look forward to receiving your videos and contributions.