U.S.-Cuba News Brief: 04/26/2019

Dear friends,

Greetings from Havana! Following last week’s announcement of more travel restrictions and more sanctions against Cuba, CDA staff is in Cuba, on the ground, assessing reactions, and doing so alongside a delegation of policymakers. We aim to show these congressional actors the realities that Cuban people face today and the impact of U.S. policy.

Because we firmly believe that normalizing relations with Cuba is in the U.S. national interest and offers the best opportunity for Cubans to write the next chapter in their own country’s future. Forging constructive U.S.-Cuba relations will also have a beneficial and lasting impact on both U.S. and Cuban societies.

During these challenging times, we commit to working harder and smarter than ever to advance engagement with Cuba. We will not allow the current political climate to hold back our efforts. On the contrary, we will continue pushing forward to increase our educational and advocacy activities, to bring influential U.S. actors to Cuba to learn about the impact our policies on the island, and to celebrate the many ties between our two peoples.

We are sincerely grateful for your ongoing support, knowing that without you we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Amidst the current crackdown on the Cuban people, we ask that you stick with us in our everyday efforts to bring about positive change to U.S-Cuba relations. Join us now on the front lines of educating, advocating, and organizing.

CDA is THRILLED to announce the headliner for our Spring Celebration, Monday, May 20, in Washington, DC. We will celebrate U.S.-Cuba ties with an intimate performance by Latin Grammy-winning Cuban singer, pianist, and composer Aymée Nuviola. Message info@democracyinamericas.org for sponsorship opportunities.

This week, in Cuba news… we are sharing a limited news brief of recommended readings, films, music, and more on all things Cuba. Enjoy!

With love, from Havana.

U.S.-Cuba News Brief: 04/19/2019

Dear friends,

This week, U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton, speaking against an overtly political backdrop in the largest swing state in the U.S., announced new sanctions against Cuba. Frankly speaking, the measures are mean-spirited, and some can only be understood as a means of creating economic hardship for the Cuban people. While the specific rule changes are not yet clearly defined, if implemented as described, they will cause great pain to the Cuban people, create obstacles for companies around the world, and represent a significant step backwards in the policy goals we long for and work daily to achieve: engagement between our two nations and our two peoples.

In this toxic policy climate, we commit to redouble our efforts – to increase our educational and advocacy activities, to bring influential U.S. actors to Cuba to learn about the impact our policies on the island, and to *celebrate* the many ties between our two peoples.

We are grateful for you, the greater CDA family, and urge you to join us now on the front lines of educating, advocating, and organizing. Thank you for your support.

This week, in Cuba news…

U.S.-Cuba News Brief: 04/12/2019

Dear friends,

This week, in Cuba news…

U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS

Trump administration cancels Major League Baseball deal with Cuba

U.S.-Cuba News Brief: 04/05/2019

Dear friends,

This week CDA staff was busy with an agenda full of engaging events and pleasant surprises. From leading meetings between Cuban visionaries and influential Members of Congress and staff – Rep. Karen Bass, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Kathy Castor, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee; to a sold-out film screening and panel discussions with these same inspirational Cuban leaders organized by the Platform for Innovation and Dialogue with Cuba; a discussion on U.S. foreign policy with our very own Emily Mendrala hosted by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security and the Brookings Institution; and, last but not least, an unexpected encounter with the cast of Netflix’s Queer Eye on Senator Leahy’s U.S. Capitol balcony! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up with CDA’s work.

This week, in Cuba news…