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A renowned Egyptian filmmaker and writer, known for his leftist positions and as a supporter of the Cuban regime, has launched one of the harshest critiques to date against the "Nuestra América" convoy, bluntly labeling it as “ridiculous” and questioning both its intentions and its real impact on the island.
Basel Ramsis Labib, who has participated in similar initiatives such as the flotilla to Gaza and has maintained a close relationship with Cuba for almost two decades, surprised many by distancing himself from the convoy that recently arrived in Havana with humanitarian aid and a significant political message.
"I have hesitated to share my opinion about the flotilla to Cuba," he wrote on social media, where he explained that his initial silence was due to his prior support for such actions. However, after closely examining the situation in Cuba, he was blunt: "This flotilla, specifically 'Nuestra América', is ridiculous."
His words come amidst the arrival of aid shipments to the island and the staging of the convoy, which has been supported by international leftist figures and celebrated by the Cuban government in public events alongside Miguel Díaz-Canel.
But Ramsis does not question the aid itself, but rather the manner in which it is delivered. In his view, the operation has "a significant amount of egocentrism" and responds more to the interest of its leaders in gaining political and media visibility than to a genuine commitment to the Cuban people.
"Cuba is not Gaza," he emphasized, highlighting a key difference. As he explained, anyone who wants to help the island can do so without the need for theatrics or risks, by traveling directly, sending medicines, or supporting the population without propaganda intermediaries.
The filmmaker went further by criticizing the use of resources in such initiatives, pointing out that the high costs of organization could have been directly allocated to address urgent needs in Cuba, where the population is facing shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, in addition to an unprecedented energy crisis.
He also questioned the symbolism of the convoy, including the name of one of the vessels. “Naming one of the boats ‘Granma 2.0’ is not a gesture of goodwill towards Cubans, but rather a childish fantasy,” he stated, referring to the historic yacht associated with Fidel Castro's rise to power.
Beyond the political critique, the intellectual highlighted the human angle that, according to him, is being overlooked. He stated that many of the attitudes displayed by the participants are "insulting" in light of the reality of misery experienced by millions of Cubans.
"The Cuban people need gasoline, medicine, food, and serious reforms," he wrote, insisting that the country's structural problems will not be resolved with slogans or brief visits from foreign activists.
His statements have resonated particularly because they come from someone who has historically defended the Cuban government, and who has also been on the island multiple times and knows its reality firsthand.
In a context where the “Nuestra América” convoy has been celebrated by the government as a symbol of international solidarity, Ramsis's voice introduces an uncomfortable rift: criticism from within the left itself that questions whether these initiatives truly benefit the Cubans or merely bolster the political narrative of those in power.
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