U.S.-Cuba News Brief: 07/30/2021

Dear Friends,

Happy Friday!

Yesterday, CDA and 37 civil society organizations, foundations, and academics sent a joint letter to President Biden urging the Administration to prioritize policies to relieve the humanitarian crisis currently affecting the Cuban people. Read our press release here.

There’s one week left to apply for CDA’s fall internship! CDA is seeking two fall interns. Interns work in three key areas: Policy and Advocacy; Communications and Social Media; and Nonprofit Development. Applications must be submitted by August 5. Visit our website to learn more about the internship and to read reflections from past interns.

Yesterday, Cuba reported 8,736 COVID-19 cases. There are currently 43,161 total active cases of COVID-19 on the island, an increase from the previous day. Havana reported a record number of new cases by far compared to other provinces at 1,736. The total number of deaths since March of 2020 is 2,693. For a graph of case numbers since March 2020, see here. For a detailed breakdown of all COVID-19 data, visit this website.

This week, in Cuba news…

U.S.-Cuba News Brief: 07/23/2021

Dear Friends,

This week, in the wake of the July 11 protests in Cuba and following six months of inaction on the Cuba policy front, the Biden-Harris administration announced reviews of remittance channels, the reestablishment of consular services and the restaffing of the U.S. Embassy in Havana, and a review on how to facilitate “safe and secure” internet access throughout the island.

In Cuba, civil society, churches, and international organizations have begun efforts to locate and advocate for those currently detained following the demonstrations that took place on July 11. Groups on and off the island have begun collecting donations as Cuba continues to grapple with food and goods shortages and high COVID-19 rates, which were conditions that, in part, drove the protests.

• The Give to Cuba campaign is collecting donations to help Cuban families access food, medicine, and hygiene products. The campaign, launched by a group of Cuban Americans, “highlights vetted organizations with a long track record of helping families in Cuba” access scarce resources.
• Global Community X Matanzas, launched by Cuba’s first independent fashion brand Clandestina in partnership with charter airline Evelop and Cuban companies Negolucion and Madao, allows individuals to donate medicines and supplies in Madrid, Spain which will then be shipped to Havana and distributed in Matanzas.
• MANDAO X DADOR, launched by Cuban lifestyle and fashion brand Dador, allows individuals to donate money to “make it possible for a Cuban family to receive a basket of locally produced food.”
• ReglaSoul’s donation campaign allows individuals to donate via Venmo to support the purchase of materials needed to construct a community garden in the Regla municipality of Havana, which will provide an alternative source of “food and medicinal resources” for black families. ReglaSoul is a “Cuba based project that promotes an alternative holistic lifestyle” and that “advocates for better access to wellness resources for Afro descendants in Cuba through plant based and holistic healing events and workshops.”

There are two weeks left to apply for CDA’s fall internship! CDA is seeking two fall interns who will work in three key areas: Policy and Advocacy; Communications and Social Media; and Nonprofit Development. Internships may be completed remotely or in-person. The deadline to apply is August 5. Visit our website to learn more about the internship and to read reflections from past interns.

Yesterday, Cuba reported a record number of COVID-19 cases at 7,784. There are currently 37,435 total active cases of COVID-19 on the island, an increase from the previous day. Matanzas reported the largest number of new cases by far compared to other provinces at 1,603. The total number of deaths since March 2020 is 2,203. For a graph of case numbers since March 2020, see here. For a detailed breakdown of all COVID-19 data, visit this website.

This week, in Cuba news…

U.S.-Cuba News Brief: 07/16/2021

Special Edition: Historic Protests in Cuba

Dear Friends,

In response to the historic protests in Cuba this past week, CDA released a statement urging the Biden-Harris administration to adopt policies of engagement with Cuba that empower the Cuban people to determine their own future. The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Cuban Americans for Engagement (CAFE), and The Cuba Study Group also released statements in support of the Cuban people and called for policies of engagement with Cuba.

In separate news, on Thursday, the founder of Detrás del Muro (Behind the Wall), Juanito Delgado, passed away due to COVID-19 complications. The artist founded the project in 2012 to reflect the meaning of the sea for Cubans. Following his recent death, the project will be renamed “Juanito Delgado Cultural Project” to honor the late artist.

Yesterday, Cuba reported 6,460 COVID-19 cases. There are currently 43,434 total active cases of COVID-19 on the island, an increase from the previous day. Matanzas reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases on the island, reaching 1,888. The total number of deaths since March of 2020 is 1,791. For a graph of case numbers since March 2020, see here. For a detailed breakdown of all COVID-19 data, visit this website.

This week, in Cuba news…

U.S.-Cuba News Brief: 07/09/2021

Dear Friends,

Happy Friday!

CDA is seeking two fall interns! Interns work in three key areas: Policy and Advocacy; Communications and Social Media; and Nonprofit Development. Internships may be completed remotely or in-person. The deadline to apply is August 5. Visit our website to learn more about the internship and to read reflections from past interns. 

This week, tropical storm Elsa prompted evacuations throughout Cuba’s southern coast. While the island credits itself in taking preventative measures amidst potential flood warnings, the evacuations have prompted concern surrounding the spread of COVID-19 given recent increases in COVID-19 cases throughout the Matanzas province. 

Meanwhile, Cuba’s national soccer team was disqualified from the Gold Cup preliminary matches after facing U.S. visa complications in Nicaragua. The team was scheduled to compete in the tournament against French Guiana on July 3 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This is the second time this year a Cuban sports team has faced visa complications. Earlier this year Cuba’s national baseball team, scheduled to attend the Americas’ Olympic qualifying tournament in Florida, had to travel to Mexico, Panama, and Guyana before the U.S. Embassy in Havana made a special exception for the team and processed their visa applications in Havana. Cubans on the island, including sports teams, continue to suffer the effects of severed U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations and a lack of consular services. 

Yesterday, Cuba reported 6,422 COVID-19 cases. There are currently 24,330 total active cases of COVID-19 on the island, an increase from the previous day. Matanzas reported a record number of new cases by far compared to other provinces at 3,559. The total number of deaths since March of 2020 is 1,451. For a graph of case numbers since March 2020, see here. For a detailed breakdown of all COVID-19 data, visit this website. 

This week, in Cuba news…

U.S.-Cuba News Brief: 07/02/2021

Dear Friends,

Happy Friday! We hope you and yours are staying safe and cool during this heat wave. 

CDA is seeking two fall interns! Interns work in three key areas: Policy and Advocacy; Communications and Social Media; and Nonprofit Development. Internships may be completed remotely or in-person. The deadline to apply is August 5. Visit our website to learn more about the internship and to read reflections from past interns. 

This week, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and U.S. National Security Council Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere, Juan González, spoke in interviews on the status of U.S.-Cuba relations. Both officials confirmed that the Biden-Harris administration continues to review Cuba policy while noting once again that it has not been a priority for the Administration these past five months. The officials noted the Administration’s human rights concerns and suggested that consular services and remittances may be restored. The interview comes after many were left questioning the prospect of engagement under the Biden-Harris administration following the U.S.’s vote against an annual resolution condemning the embargo on Cuba last week at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

Meanwhile, healthcare professionals in Havana have begun efforts encouraging Cuban residents to receive either the Abdala or Soberana 02 vaccines. As healthcare workers visit individuals in Havana, the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus has reportedly reached the nation’s capital. Being about 64 times more infectious than the already present Alpha variant, the healthcare sector continues to compete against rising COVID-19 cases and a lack of available syringes.

Yesterday, Cuba reported a record number of COVID-19 cases at 3,308. There are currently 17,434 total active cases of COVID-19 on the island, an increase from the previous day. Matanzas reported the largest number of new cases by far compared to other provinces at 916. The total number of deaths since March 2020 is 1,322. For a graph of case numbers since March 2020, see here. For a detailed breakdown of all COVID-19 data, visit this website. 

This week, in Cuba news…