Former Italian deputy Alessandro Di Battista hospitalized in serious condition in Havana
Former Italian lawmaker Alessandro Di Battista has been hospitalized in Havana after falling ill during a trip, prompting the Italian Foreign Ministry to establish contact with diplomatic officials in Cuba.
Emergency hospitalization in Havana
Former Italian lawmaker Alessandro Di Battista was admitted to a hospital in Havana on the evening of Friday, 28 August 2026. The 48-year-old political activist, writer, and reporter fell ill during a trip to Cuba after developing a severe headache. Reports from Italian news outlets indicated that he arrived at the medical facility in serious condition, though the specific hospital treating him has not been publicly identified. Di Battista had recently marked his 48th birthday on 4 August while continuing his international travel. Italian diplomatic personnel in Havana were notified overnight to follow the diagnostic tests and monitor his medical status directly.
Diplomatic and political reactions
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani announced on Saturday morning that the Italian government had established direct contact with diplomatic personnel on the island. Tajani confirmed that embassy officials in Havana are monitoring Di Battista's condition and coordinating support for his family.
Since last night I have been in contact with the Italian Embassy in Cuba to ascertain the condition of Alessandro Di Battista, who was admitted to a hospital in Havana for tests while traveling. I pray for his health. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide him and his family with all necessary assistance. I am close to his loved ones, to the political community he represents.
The Five Star Movement, the political organization Di Battista represented during his five years in parliament, issued a public message of concern following the news of his medical emergency. Party officials expressed hope that upcoming medical bulletins would show improvement while offering thoughts to his relatives.
The 5 Star community learned the news of Alessandro Di Battista's hospitalization in Cuba with great apprehension. It trusts to receive information and positive updates, rallying around his family in this moment of profound concern.
- Elected as a deputy for the Five Star Movement in the Italian parliament
- Concludes parliamentary term and decides not to seek re-election
- Leaves the Five Star Movement in opposition to the Mario Draghi government
- Admitted to a hospital in Havana, Cuba, after falling ill with a severe headache
- Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani establishes contact with the Italian embassy in Havana
Political career and post-parliamentary work
Born in Rome on 4 August 1978, Di Battista completed a degree in arts, music, and performance (DAMS) at Roma Tre University and earned a master's degree in the international protection of human rights at Sapienza University of Rome. Before his political career, he worked on international cooperation initiatives in Latin America. He joined the Five Star Movement during its formative period, establishing himself as one of its most prominent public figures. Between 2013 and 2018, he served as a deputy in the Italian Chamber of Deputies, where he held the position of vice president of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Di Battista chose not to seek a second term in parliament during the 2018 general election, redirecting his work toward international journalism, book publishing, and grassroots political advocacy. In February 2021, he departed the Five Star Movement over internal disagreements regarding the party's decision to back a broad coalition government led by former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi. In the years following his departure, Di Battista continued publishing investigative reportage and articles with Il Fatto Quotidiano while serving as vice president of the political association Schierarsi.
