Alessandro Di Battista, a 48-year-old former Italian parliamentarian, remains in serious condition at Havana's Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, unable to be transported back to Italy due to his current medical state.
According to sources cited by the AdnKronos news agency and reported by Il Fatto Quotidiano, the Italian government is considering arranging a medical evacuation flight. However, this step will only proceed once doctors determine that the journey poses no additional health risks to Di Battista.
Despite his serious health situation, Di Battista broke his silence on social media this Sunday. He reached out to Ilaria Loquenzi, a former communications team member of the Five Star Movement (M5S), stating, "I will do everything I can to return soon." He responded to Loquenzi's plea, "Don’t give up and come back, please... so we can see the stars again."
Unforeseen Health Crisis in Cuba
Di Battista traveled to Cuba on August 22 to work on a series of reports titled "El polvo del mundo" for Il Fatto Quotidiano and the TvLoft platform. During his stay, he began experiencing severe and persistent headaches, initially attributing them to exhaustion from his frequent travels.
On Friday, he traveled from Havana to Santa Clara to visit Che Guevara's mausoleum. However, his symptoms worsened, prompting him to seek medical help at the urging of an Italian friend residing in Cuba and his sister back in Italy.
After being urgently admitted to a hospital in Santa Clara, Di Battista was transferred by ambulance to Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, where he underwent comprehensive testing, including a CT scan with contrast.
Awaiting Diagnosis Amid Speculation
The ANSA news agency described his condition as "serious," although noting that he remained conscious and responsive to medical staff. No official diagnosis has been released yet, although some Italian media outlets have speculated about the possibility of a stroke, a hypothesis neither confirmed by doctors nor authorities.
This Sunday, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani spoke with Di Battista by phone, finding him "spirited in tone, undeterred in spirit despite the complicated situation." Tajani assured that the Italian government would do "everything necessary for him, as it would for any Italian citizen in similar circumstances."
Cuban Healthcare System Struggles Under Crisis
Di Battista's hospitalization comes amid a severe crisis in Cuba's healthcare system. In April, over 70% of essential medications—461 out of 651—were reported unavailable in state pharmacies, with more than 96,000 patients on surgical waiting lists.
Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital serves as a key referral center for complex cases and foreign patients in Cuba, a contrast to the significant deterioration seen in much of the country's hospital network. For now, Di Battista must remain hospitalized in Havana. His return to Italy awaits the medical team's clearance that he can safely endure the medical evacuation without further jeopardizing his health.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alessandro Di Battista's Situation
What is preventing Alessandro Di Battista from being repatriated to Italy?
Di Battista's current medical condition is too severe to safely transport him back to Italy, as determined by the attending doctors in Cuba.
Why was Alessandro Di Battista in Cuba?
He was in Cuba to produce a series of reports titled "El polvo del mundo" for Il Fatto Quotidiano and the TvLoft platform.
What measures is the Italian government taking to assist Di Battista?
The Italian government is considering arranging a medical evacuation flight, which will proceed once it is deemed medically safe for Di Battista to travel.