Alessandro Di Battista, a writer, activist and former top member of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S), is still being treated in Havana after his return to Italy was postponed following a deterioration in his condition.
The 48-year-old was taken into hospital at the end of last month after suffering severe head pain and passing out while on a reporting trip to Cuba.
Last week he said he was feeling better and had been expected to return to Italy on Friday to be admitted to Rome's prestigious Gemelli Hospital.
But at the last minute it was decided that Di Battista should return to hospital in the Cuban capital for surgery due to a sharp deterioration in his condition.
