Five-Year Anniversary: Forward Then Backward

In one week, CODEPINK and ProximityCuba will lead a large group of travelers to Cuba on a meaningful visit in support of the Cuban people and to commemorate a significant anniversary. December 17 will be the fifth anniversary of the restoration of normal diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. On that day, President Barack Obama and President Raúl Castro, each at the same time, made the historic announcement that normal diplomatic relations were being restored and that the embassies would be reopened. Cubans went out into the streets to celebrate, and people on both sides were excited and optimistic about a new time in U.S.-Cuba relations and the mutual benefit to both countries to have progress after decades of an outdated, useless old policy. Changes in policy after this announcement brought increasing prosperity to Cuba as U.S. travelers poured into the country and boosted the success of entrepreneurs. Many U.S. citizens were glad to have their right to travel restored and took advantage of this opening. To be clear, the U.S. embargo/blockade was still in place, so there was still a long way to go in U.S.-Cuba relations. Nevertheless, this first step was a cause for celebration, and optimism was high.

Unfortunately, this movement forward has been reversed by the U.S. shift back to an adversarial stance toward Cuba, which has included an ongoing series of policy changes that are more restrictive, resulting in harm to Cuban entrepreneurs, obstacles to Cuban family visits, and an almost non-functioning U.S. Embassy in Cuba. This does not reflect the wishes of the people in the U.S., because the majority support normal diplomatic relations, an end to the embargo/blockade, and freedom to travel. The majority of people in the U.S. do not want to harm the economic well-being of Cubans or break apart Cuban families with obstacles to family visits. On this fifth anniversary trip, we are going to visit Cuban community projects, entrepreneurs, cultural projects, and other places where we will connect in meaningful ways with Cubans who will update us on the effects of current U.S. policies. We will look for ways that we can support them in this difficult time and develop connections for an ongoing friendship and support effort. We have requested to meet with the U.S. Embassy in Havana and would like to have a dialogue with them about the effects of the policies on the Cuban people.

You can follow CODEPINK and ProximityCuba on social media and here on this blog to see what we are doing in Cuba during the upcoming trip. We know that many people are with us in heart in our work toward a more just U.S. policy toward Cuba, so join us online if not there physically, and keep up the pressure for change. Together, we can achieve friendship and peace between the U.S. and Cuba.