Alessandro Di Battista undergoes surgery in Cuba as return to Italy is delayed

Alessandro Di Battista’s return to Rome has been postponed after his condition reportedly worsened shortly before an air ambulance was due to leave Cuba. Instead of continuing the planned journey to the Gemelli Polyclinic, doctors decided to turn the flight around and operate on him in Havana.

Schierarsi, the association founded by the former Five Star Movement lawmaker, announced the delayed flight and urged people “to maintain the utmost discretion and prudence in sharing information, pending further updates.” The appeal came as thousands of followers posted messages expressing concern for a public figure described as widely loved.

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to maintain the utmost discretion and prudence in sharing information, pending further updates

Di Battista has been at Havana’s Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital for about a week. He was first admitted in serious condition in Santa Clara after suffering severe head pain, then transferred to the Cuban capital. His family and close circle have repeatedly asked for privacy as reports about his health circulated, with few confirmed details.

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never made us feel alone and is doing extraordinary work with tremendous responsibility

The mother of his two children, Sahra Lahouasnia, and two doctors from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, a neurosurgeon and an intensivist, travelled to Havana to work with the Cuban medical team. Luca Di Giuseppe, president of Schierarsi, also flew there before returning to Italy. He thanked the Cuban doctors and Italian ambassador Simona Di Martino, saying she “never made us feel alone and is doing extraordinary work with tremendous responsibility.”

Di Battista, an activist and reporter in Cuba for a report for Il Fatto, last posted publicly on Thursday evening about Gaza. He wrote that “Israeli terrorists killed at least 35 Palestinian civilians in the last week” and urged readers not to look away. Supporters have since filled social media with messages such as “Stay strong, Ale,” “Get well soon” and “We are waiting for you.”

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Israeli terrorists killed at least 35 Palestinian civilians in the last week