CUBA CENTRAL NEWS BRIEF: 11/16/2018

Giving Tuesday is close!

Tuesday, November 27 is #GivingTuesday (your perfect antidote after Black Friday). We are launching a fundraiser to support #CubaUS engagement. CDA educates, convenes, organizes, and advocates. Support our efforts to organize powerful days of advocacy on Capitol Hill. We will educate new Members of Congress and launch efforts to pass pro-engagement legislation in the 116th Congress!

On Tuesday 27, Facebook and PayPal are matching donations for a total of up to $7 million on a first-come, first-served basis. CDA Board Members are also generously matching gifts, so your contribution (matched X3!) will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps and it will be matched!!! #StayEngaged #GrowingDiplomacy @cda_dc

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CUBA CENTRAL NEWS BRIEF: 11/09/2018

U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS

Makeup of new Congress could create a different dynamic on Cuba policy

The Miami Herald analyzes how the results of Tuesday’s midterm elections could impact the congressional dynamic on Cuba policy. In Miami-Dade County, for example, Cuban American candidates lost two seats in the county’s three congressional districts. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) won the FL-26 district by over two points (51-49 percent), defeating incumbent Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R). Additionally, Donna Shalala (D), who served as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Clinton Administration, then as President of the University of Miami, and more recently as President of the Clinton Foundation, defeated local journalist Maria Elvira Salazar (R) in Florida’s 27th district, a district previously represented by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the first Cuba-American elected to Congress. Only Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R) survived the challenge of former Judge Mary Barzee-Flores (D), winning FL-25 (60.3-39.7 percent).

CUBA CENTRAL NEWS BRIEF: 11/02/2018

U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS

“This week, in Cuba news…”

UN votes overwhelmingly to condemn US embargo of Cuba

On Thursday, for the 26th consecutive year, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), voted in support of a resolution to denounce the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The resolution passed with a 188-2-0 vote. As has become the custom in recent years, only Israel joined the U.S. to vote against the resolution. Ukraine and Moldova did not vote. This year, the U.S. delegation introduced eight amendments calling on the Cuban government to respect human rights, especially freedom of expression, press, and assembly. All the amendments were rejected by vote and dismissed.

Cuba presented the first UNGA resolution against the U.S. embargo in 1992. On that occasion, the resolution was approved by a vote of 59 in favor, 3 opposed, and 71 abstentions. The U.S. and Israel have voted against the resolution each year but one; in 2016, following President Obama’s trip to Cuba in March of that year, both delegations abstained. That year, the resolution received a historic 191 votes in favor and zero opposed. However, in 2017, following President Trump’s policy directive requiring the U.S. to oppose the measure, the U.S. and Israel once again voted against it. The measure passed with 191 votes in favor.

Every year in the weeks before the vote, the Cuban government increases its statements against the embargo and launches efforts to solicit support from stakeholders in the international community.