Middle East and Mediterranean parties fight the Iran War

A teleconference of Communist and Workers’ Parties from the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, and the Persian Gulf was held March 12 at the initiative of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE). The meeting, which brought together representatives from eleven parties including the Communist Party of Israel (MAKI), the Tudeh Party of Iran, the Palestinian Communist Party, AKEL (Cyprus), the Jordanian Communist Party, and the Sudanese Communist Party, focused on coordinating action against the imperialist war launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran.

KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoubas delivered the introductory speech, emphasizing that the attack is driven by the competition of monopolies to control energy resources and reshape the region. Participants condemned the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the attacks on Lebanon and Syria, and expressed solidarity with the people of Cuba and the communists of Jordan. The parties agreed to intensify the struggle against their own governments’ involvement in imperialist plans and to strengthen internationalist solidarity, particularly in the face of the escalating conflict and its dangers for the entire region.

WFTU launches international week of solidarity with Cuba

As the U.S. escalates its economic war against Cuba—including a total blockade on oil supplies under the false pretext of “state-sponsored terrorism”—the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) announced an International Week of Action in solidarity with the Cuban people from April 6 to 12. The initiative comes as Cuba faces severe energy shortages and economic strangulation, yet continues to resist with dignity, as demonstrated by its recent advances in social policy, including the new Family Code.

The WFTU is calling on all affiliates to organize mobilizations outside U.S. embassies and to participate in an international campaign to collect funds, medicines, and essential materials to provide concrete relief to Cuban workers. The campaign is being coordinated with the CTC (Central de Trabajadores de Cuba) to ensure direct support to those most affected by the shortages. The WFTU Women’s Commission has also issued a strong statement of solidarity, highlighting the gains Cuban women have made under the revolution despite the decades-long blockade.

Cuba Honors its Youth Ahead of the 64th Anniversary of the UJC

Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of the Republic of Cuba and the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, led a ceremony recognizing young people and institutions for their contributions to Cuba’s revolutionary process, as part of activities marking the upcoming anniversary of the Unión de Jóvenes Comunistas (UJC). During the event, Díaz-Canel awarded the Flag of Honor—the highest distinction granted by the UJC National Bureau—to ten institutions for their achievements, while twelve youth comrades received the Julio Antonio Mella Order for outstanding merit. The ceremony was attended by senior government and party officials, who also presented additional recognitions to dozens of young recipients.

Speaking at the event, Yaliel Cobo Calvo, Second Secretary of the UJC National Committee, emphasized that the awards symbolize not only excellence in study and work, but also the commitment of Cuba’s youth to defend and continue the revolutionary project. He highlighted the determination of younger generations to uphold national sovereignty and face global challenges with courage and confidence. As part of the day’s activities, Díaz-Canel also took part in National Defense Day exercises in Havana, where military drills were conducted. Among those honored were young combatants recognized for their role in recent operations, presented as examples of dedication and resilience for the country’s youth. The ceremony forms part of broader efforts to highlight youth participation across key sectors such as production, education, research, and national defense.

France: Communist Party holds ground against far-right in municipal elections

The French Communist Party (PCF) fended off challenges from the far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally) in the first round of municipal elections on March 15, with leader Fabien Roussel winning outright in the working-class industrial town of Saint-Amand-les-Eaux. Running on a platform of decent wages, accessible public services, and affordable housing, Roussel defeated his neofascist opponent 51% to 26%. Communist mayoral candidates won over 200 first-round victories across the country.

The elections revealed a fractured political landscape, with the far-right making gains in rural areas but hitting an urban ceiling. Roussel warned that low voter turnout is a symptom of a “sick democracy” and called for the broadest possible popular gatherings against the far-right and against the liberal policies of President Emmanuel Macron.

Cyprus: AKEL warns of dangers from British bases

Following the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, the Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) of Cyprus issued a strong condemnation of the strikes, calling them a violation of international law that threatens to turn the entire region into a full-blown conflict. The party warned that the presence of British bases on the island poses a direct danger to Cyprus and called on the government to ensure the bases are not used for military operations in the region. The party’s position is for the removal of imperialist bases from their country and to not join the NATO military alliance.

AKEL emphasized that aligning Cyprus with the U.S. and Israel does not safeguard the interests of the Cypriot people and reiterated its longstanding demand for the dismantling of the British bases. The party called on President Christodoulides’ government to take a principled stance based on international law and to take all necessary measures to protect the country from being drawn into the escalating conflict.

Iran: Tudeh Party calls for peace movement against “devastating war”

The Tudeh Party of Iran has issued a call for the formation of a broad peace movement, both inside and outside the country, to immediately halt the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. In a recent expanded Central Committee meeting, the party stated that the war has placed the country’s territorial integrity in grave danger and that the Islamic regime is using the conflict to cover up their legitimacy crisis and suppress dissent.

The Tudeh Party declared that the Islamic regime is incapable of sufficiently defending the country or its people, who are subjected to continuous bombardments without adequate shelter. The party called for national unity in the face of the imperialist attacks, the rebuilding of Iran’s peace movement, and proposed the formation of an international committee to mobilize global public opinion against the war, urging all progressive forces to unite in the face of the catastrophe.

Africa: Continental forum declares solidarity with Cuba

The African Left Networking Forum, convened by the South African Communist Party (SACP) on March 13, adopted a powerful statement condemning the U.S. inclusion of Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. The statement, signed by dozens of organizations including the CPUSA at the invitation of the SACP, recalled Cuba’s “gallant historic mark” on the African continent, from its decisive role in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale that broke the back of the apartheid South African Defence Force to its ongoing medical brigades and educational programs.

“Today, in Cuba’s hour of need, we the people of Africa embrace our historic Internationalist duty to stand firmly shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Cuba and its government against the war mongering of the United States,” the statement reads. The forum called on African governments to strengthen diplomatic and economic cooperation with Cuba, urged the African Union to provide tangible support, and demanded the immediate lifting of the illegal blockade. The signatories further reaffirmed their solidarity with the people of Palestine, Sudan, Venezuela, and Iran, declaring: “All those who profess to be democrats are equally bound to do likewise.”

Greece: KKE warns against so-called “World Anti-Imperialist Platform” courting far-right

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has issued a sharp polemic against the so-called “World Anti-Imperialist Platform” (WAP), accusing it of advocating “tactical cooperation” with the Trump administration and European far-right forces. In a commentary published in the party’s central organ Rizospastis, the KKE said:

“The so-called ‘luminaries’ of the ‘World Anti-Imperialist Platform’ — in which, unfortunately, certain Communist Parties also participate — have struck again… Now, the WAP’s ‘interpretation’ goes so far as to make room even for Trump. Such views stem from a complete detachment from the struggles of the working class, from erroneous opportunist theories about the imperialist system, and from the refusal to fulfill the duty of the working class and the peoples to develop an independent strategy against the bourgeois classes and imperialist alliances.

“Based on their crude analysis — dividing bourgeois forces into ‘globalists’ and ‘chauvinists’ (Trump, Le Pen, Orbán) — communists are urged to side with the latter and establish forms of tactical cooperation with them.

“We had our suspicions from the stance of the so-called ‘American Communist Party’ (supporters of MAGA communism), which participate in the WAP and supported Trump. Yet some persist with the same narrative, portraying Trump as a ‘pacifist’ and seeking to draw the communists into ‘tactical cooperation’ with him, or even with Le Pen, Orbán, and the other figures of the far right in Europe and beyond. This once again exposes their dubious role.

“This reflects profound confusion. It does not take many words to demonstrate that the lack of principles, adventurism, and vulgarization of revolutionary theory by the opportunists lead, through various channels, into the arms of the bourgeois classes. The collapse of this construct — which now goes so far as to advocate regular cooperation with governments like Trump’s — knows no limits. Their attempt to grossly distort the lessons of the October Revolution and the Bolsheviks, of the USSR’s struggle to defend the world’s first workers’ state, is futile.

“The Leninist legacy is clear: to exploit every crack, split, and difficulty within the bourgeois camp, while subordinating necessary maneuvers to the main objective — the overthrow of bourgeois power, the construction and defense of socialism.”

Britain: half a million march against far-right and racism

The Communist Party of Britain joined half a million protesters on the streets of central London on March 28 for the Together Alliance rally, described by organizers as the largest anti-far-right demonstration in British history. The march, which stretched from Park Lane to Whitehall, sent a clear message against racism, the Trump administration, and the organized far-right, with chants of “Refugees welcome” and “No to racism” echoing through the capital.

Speakers included MPs Diane Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn, and Zarah Sultana, alongside trade union leaders and campaigners. Abbott told the rally the turnout was the largest anti-racist march she had witnessed in her lifetime. Together Alliance chair Kevin Courtney noted that the scale of attendance had intimidated the far-right from mounting a counterprotest, following the biggest far-right mobilization in British history in September 2025. A separate Palestine Coalition march joined the route, underscoring the unity of anti-racist and anti-war struggles.

Belgium: general strike shakes country

On Thursday, March 12, 100,000 people joined a national demonstration and strike in Brussels against the anti-worker reforms of the so-called Arizona coalition government. Trade unions, feminist networks, and international solidarity organizations took to the streets to oppose plans to finance militarization at the expense of workers’ salaries and pensions. The strike was the latest in a year of sustained action against the government’s attempt to force people to work until age 67 by penalizing early retirees with pension cuts of up to 5% annually.

The Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB-PVDA), which has been one of the parties at the forefront of the resistance, noted that the broad mobilizations have already won important breakthroughs. According to the party’s pension expert, the overall impact of the reform measures has been reduced by a quarter, sparing some 20,000 workers from penalties.

Brazil: Communist Party celebrates 104 years

The Brazilian Communist Party (PCB) celebrated 104 years on March 25, marking over a century of struggle as the country’s oldest political organization. Born from the workers’ struggles following the Bolshevik Revolution, the PCB has been present in all major fights of the Brazilian proletariat, operating underground for much of its existence while producing some of the nation’s greatest popular heroes. The party noted its role in organizing unions, resisting dictatorships, and championing the rights of workers, Black Brazilians, women, Indigenous peoples, and the LGBTQ+ community.

“We were, we are, and we will be communists,” the party declared in a statement celebrating its history. Despite brutal persecution by the bourgeoisie and dictatorial regimes, the PCB has survived and remains steadfast in its commitment to the Brazilian revolution and the construction of socialism.

Palestine/Israel: Communist forces mobilize around Land Day and anti-war struggle

The Communist Party of Israel (MAKI) and its alliance Hadash have remained at the forefront of anti-war mobilization inside Israel, organizing protests in multiple cities in March against the war on Iran and the continued assault on Gaza. Party leaders, including Knesset members affiliated with Hadash, have also carried out solidarity visits to Palestinian families affected by Israeli military violence, highlighting the human cost of the ongoing campaign.

Both MAKI and Hadash placed significant emphasis on the commemoration of Land Day (March 30), organizing educational and political events marking its 50th anniversary. Statements issued during this period framed Land Day not only as a historical remembrance of Palestinian resistance to dispossession but as a rallying point for renewed joint Arab-Jewish struggle against occupation, war, and discrimination.

The Palestinian Communist Party has similarly intensified its political activity, holding a Central Committee meeting in early February that characterized the current moment as one of acute danger due to the “imperialist-Zionist” offensive against Palestine and the region. In March, the party issued solidarity statements with the Jordanian Communist Party amid repression, participated in regional coordination meetings, and released a Land Day statement emphasizing the genocidal conditions in Gaza while reaffirming resistance and national steadfastness.

Lebanon: Communist movement combines resistance and humanitarian mobilization

The Lebanese Communist Party has combined opposition to Israeli aggression with sharp criticism of the Lebanese government’s economic policies. In February, the party condemned new indirect taxes and fuel price increases as measures that disproportionately burden working people. Throughout March, it has promoted discussions around alternative economic policies and reconstruction through initiatives such as the “Popular Steadfastness Committee,” linking the anti-war struggle with the fight against austerity and neoliberal restructuring.

At the same time, the broader communist youth movement has launched concrete humanitarian efforts in response to the war. The World Federation of Democratic Youth, together with the Union of Lebanese Democratic Youth, has initiated an emergency humanitarian appeal aimed at providing urgent relief to those affected by Israeli aggression. The campaign focuses on mobilizing and equipping ambulances, organizing rapid-response medical teams, and distributing essential medicines, including treatments for chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.

In addition, the initiative is delivering food, clothing, hygiene supplies, and shelter support to displaced families, while establishing centralized kitchens to provide daily hot meals under safe conditions. Particular attention is being given to children through psychosocial programs, including organized activities designed to reduce trauma and restore a sense of normalcy. The campaign has issued a call for $20,000 in international support, emphasizing that organized, people-led solidarity is essential to sustaining life-saving assistance and strengthening community resilience in the face of ongoing aggression.

If you are able to contribute to this fund, follow this link.

Sudan: Communist Party denounces war economy and calls for accountability

The Sudanese Communist Party has continued to focus on the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. In recent statements, the party sharply criticized the 2026 emergency budget, describing it as opaque, militarized, and harmful to the population amid worsening economic conditions.

Throughout March, the party has highlighted rising prices, collapsing wages, and the broader social crisis, while also demanding accountability for atrocities committed during the war. Editorials in the party’s press and statements on its official channels have underscored the role of reactionary forces in deepening the crisis and called for a political solution that prioritizes the interests of the Sudanese people over military and sectarian agendas.

Images: Cuba no esta sola. In Defense of Communism; French Communist Party. PCF on X; Communist Party of Greece. KKE on X; CPB joins mass-demonstrations. CPB on FB. MAKI protests war. Hadash on X; Sudanese Communist Party. SCP.