March 24, 2026
The Granma 2.0 arrives in Havana harbor
In a continuing act of international solidarity, the tuna boat “Maguro,” renamed “Granma 2.0” by its crew, docked today in the port of Havana, carrying more than 30 tons of humanitarian aid on board. The vessel, the flagship of the “Nuestra América” Solidarity Convoy, set sail from the port of Progreso in Yucatán, Mexico,and traveled 370 nautical miles over five days, facing adverse weather conditions to fulfill its mission.
The cargo, consisting of donations from various nations, includes 73 solar panels destined for health centers, as well as basic foodstuffs such as rice, beans, and cereals, in addition to medicines and personal hygiene products. The organizers of the voyage noted that 32 people from 11 countries are traveling aboard, having joined forces in this demonstration of South-South solidarity.
The ship’s name pays homage to the iconic yacht “Granma,” which 70 years ago carried Fidel Castro and 82 guerillas. On this occasion, the vessel’s mission aims to help alleviate the complex situation the island is facing, amid a crisis exacerbated by the economic restrictions imposed by the United States, in effect since 1962.
According to the organizers, the initiative—in which other vessels yet to arrive are participating—seeks to raise awareness and break the political and commercial blockade affecting the Cuban people, while underscoring the importance of international cooperation to address the energy and supply challenges facing the Caribbean nation.
Stories from the Granma 2.0 Flotilla: Everything that is not empire must be humanity
It was noon on March 20, 2026, and from Puerto Progreso in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, the tuna boat “Maguro” set sail, respectfully christened the “Granma 2.0” by its crew of 27 people from 11 countries around the world.
The objective: to bring more than 30 tons of food, medical supplies, essential items for children, and 97 solar panels to Havana, Cuba.
The challenge: to cross the political and economic wall of the blockade against Cuba imposed by the United States since 1962.
The truth is that the blockade against Cuba was also a cognitive and cultural barrier, so much so that the venture was unprecedented. Never, since that November 25, 1956, had a militant ship set sail from the Mexican coast bound for Cuba with such clearly political aims.
Seventy years ago, it was Fidel Castro with 81 armed men ready to unleash the most significant revolution of the last century. An example of dignity for all humanity. On this occasion, we are not carrying weapons, but we do carry a great deal of solidarity in coordination with thousands of other people who have arrived in Cuba as part of the operation called “Convoy Nuestra América,” promoted by the Progressive International, which seeks to answer Cuba’s call by air and sea, to respond in some small way to all the solidarity that Cubans have spread across the globe.
Today, Cuba is going through very difficult times; for three months now, the blockade has intensified by order of U.S. President Donald Trump, who is preventing the arrival of oil, creating a deep energy crisis that has impacted hospitals and the daily lives of the entire population.
Without any remorse, the head of the empire, who claims he wants Cuba for himself, has threatened President Miguel Díaz-Canel and constantly hints at military action against the island. The world’s response must be urgent, and various acts of solidarity are already beginning to emerge.
What sets this small boat apart is the lesson and the example embodied in this simple act. It is breaking through the wall of fear of the missiles that have killed so many innocent fishermen in our Caribbean, the fear of being intercepted, the fear of the threats coming down from the empire. It is having crossed the sea with the certainty that the sea, just like all the land of the Patria Grande, is also ours. It is breaking the blockade one boat at a time.
This momentum would never have been possible without the dozens of vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla that in 2025 attempted to bring food to Gaza, Palestine. A total of 42 people were kidnapped and tortured, many of whom today crew the Granma 2.0; dozens of ships were attacked by Israeli drones; and there was the frustration of not having been able to reach our destination. All that experience is what makes the success of this mission to Cuba possible today.
“It is a tremendous joy to know that this time we will succeed; we have received many messages from our Palestinian brothers and sisters, happy that we are going to reach Cuba with this flotilla. The Cuban people are also joyful because this is a message of hope. Once we finish disembarking in Havana, we will return to try to reach Gaza,” commented Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian and coordinator of this historic effort.
I am writing this article before arriving at the port of Havana, still sailing on this Granma 2.0, with the coast of Cuba on one side. And I’m doing so because once on land, the story will unfold further; there will be welcome ceremonies and words from the Cuban people. We will surely discuss the next steps ahead.
As someone who recently served as Vice Foreign Minister of Honduras, I looked behind the veil of diplomacy, only to realize that international law has become a rusty machine—one that makes a lot of noise but achieves little. On this occasion, I am part of this crew as a correspondent for TeleSUR, and I will always remember these 370 nautical miles, these four days on the high seas, the smell of the galley and the communal meals, the discomfort and the smiles and stories with so many different accents that converged on this small boat crossing the sea. I believe that diplomacy must never forget that the future of international law, of law in general, and of justice in its purest form lies with the people, with the nations, and their ability to unite and organize.
If the nature of empire is barbarism, then the nature of everything that is not empire must always be humanity.
Source: Cubadebate, translation Resumen Latinoamericano – English