By Haki S. Ammi
Twenty-three delegates from the United States, representing a broad cross-section of the Black community, participated in three full days of listening, seeing and learning how the U.S. blockade, sanctions and escalating threats have deepened desperation and instability in Cuba.
The delegation was led by Dr. Ron Daniels of the Institute of the Black World and curated by James Early. Both are national and international organisers with extensive experience in humanitarian efforts from Haiti to Grenada.
Early, who has visited Cuba dozens of times over the past 50 years, acted as interpreter and liaison for the group, alongside writers from Amsterdam News, The Final Call and The Washington Informer.
Upon arrival, the group hosted an informal meet-and-greet with other delegates arriving from across the U.S.
Many are aware that since Marco Rubio became secretary of state, there has been an uptick in hostilities toward Cuba. Rubio was not born in Cuba – his family left the island, and he was born in Miami. Many speculate that Miami Cuban expatriate influencers are driving the policy of regime change. The recent indictment of Raúl Castro sets a dangerous precedent in human history: using the Justice Department for international diplomatic issues.
Since Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro was taken by U.S. military forces, Cuba’s oil supply has been cut off. This makes basic operations such as food preservation difficult as power outages occur throughout the day and night.
While there, the delegation visited a hospital. One of the most painful moments was witnessing a doctor break down in tears, explaining that sometimes the power goes out during surgeries.
Recently, Pastor Jamal Bryant, of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Ga., said on a livestream that ICU patients in Cuba are all dying because they cannot keep power running.
Among the delegation from Baltimore was the Rev. Dr Robert Turner of Empowerment Temple, who, upon his return to the United States, preached on the power of gentle diplomacy. He saw firsthand how the heavy-handed U.S. policy is causing tremendous damage to the Cuban people. Despite the hostilities, he said, he witnessed how much Cubans love Americans.
On April 28, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) co-sponsored Virginia Sen.Tim Kaine’s S.J. Res 124, a joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Republic of Cuba that have not been authorised by Congress.
On May 23, the Congressional Black Caucus issued a strongly worded letter to Marco Rubio and President Trump. Chairwoman Yvette Lewis wrote: “Under the administration’s oil blockade and tightening of sanctions, Cubans are dying.”
One of the highlights of the trip was a meeting with President Miguel Díaz-Canel, the current leader of Cuba. He gave a history lesson and spoke firmly, saying: “The Cuban people are being terrorised. They label us as oppressors of our people but we have helped all our citizens with housing, education and medical care.”
The delegation also visited several other sites, including the National Assembly of People’s Power, the Fidel Castro Museum, the Martin Luther King Centre, and the Latin American School of Medicine. The medical school has trained doctors from all over the world. Cuba also has responded to medical emergencies worldwide, deploying more than 250 doctors and nurses to nations such as Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone during Ebola outbreaks. The country also developed five COVID-19 vaccines to protect its citizens.
Milton Allimadi, an author, said South Africa, Angola, Nigeria and Ghana should assist Cuba, noting that Cuba has been a friend to Africa, and now it is time for Africa to be a friend back to Cuba.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.
