In September 2017, United States diplomatic personnel in Cuba reported a variety of symptoms like memory and hearing loss. The Trump administration hastily framed the injuries suffered as the result of sonic attacks. The U.S State Department then responded by withdrawing all nonessential diplomatic personnel from Havana, expelling 60% of Cuban diplomatic staff from the Cuban Embassy in Washington, and warning U.S citizens not to travel to the island.  

No evidence has emerged corroborating the sonic attack allegation. A recent FBI investigation that received full Cuban cooperation has found no evidence that attacks — sonic or otherwise — were waged on U.S. embassy staff. While the investigation is not yet publicly released, Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake confirmed the finding.

Intelligence agents, doctors, and psychoacoustics experts who consulted on the case also find it unlikely that the wide variety of symptoms reported were caused by any known sonic device. “No one has a device that could do this. Because no such device exists,” says Fulton Armstrong, a retired CIA officer who worked on Cuba policy in the Clinton White House.

The State Department has somewhat softened its travel warning on Cuba amidst a broad re-categorization of travel advisories. Instead of warning citizens not to travel to the island, it now suggests that they reconsider travel. Michelle Bernier-Toth, head of Overseas Citizens Services, told reporters that the softer categorization was selected because it has not been determined what caused the injuries.

Apart from the technical implausibility of sonic attacks, Cuba has nothing to gain by sabotaging progress made in bilateral relations since December 2014 when Raul Castro and President Obama restored diplomatic ties. Cooperation in areas of mutual interest ranges from regional security to public health.

Instead of protecting American citizens from a legitimate threat, slashing Cuban embassy personnel and impeding travel sabotages the normalization process. It hurts the many Cubans dependent on tourism and keeps families apart who are already divided by the Florida Straits.

The reality is that Cuba remains one of the safer destinations for travelers in Latin America in terms of safety and health.

We are more accurately advised by travel assessment made by other countries. Canada suggests taking normal safety precautions when traveling to Cuba, and the UK has assessed that “crime levels are low and mainly in the form of opportunistic theft,” noting “most visits to Cuba are trouble free.”  Indeed, of the thousands of travelers who have gone to Cuba with Global Exchange, not one has reported symptoms affecting their health akin to those experienced by U.S embassy staff.  

Travel warnings are reviewed by the State Department every six months. Call the State Department now at 202-647-4000 to insist they remove the unfounded Level 3 travel warning on Cuba. Here’s what to say:

The Level 3 travel warning on Cuba is not substantiated but, instead, undermines a normalization process that is in the mutual interest of Cubans and Americans. An FBI investigation with full Cuban cooperation has found no proof of attacks – sonic or otherwise – on U.S diplomatic personnel. No agency of the U.S. or Cuban government is aware of a technology that fits the victims’ description of what they experienced — non-government scientists are equally puzzled. And the State Department has provided no evidence that visitors are in danger. A reduction in tourism will have a negative impact on local Cuban businesses – including many thousands in Cuba’s nascent private sector. This undermines the U.S foreign policy objective to support Cuba’s domestic reforms. Please appropriately re-categorize Cuba as a Level 1 (exercise normal precautions), as have close allies like Canada.

 

Happy New Year!  We’re ready to build a powerful movement for change in 2018!

We are already hard at work confronting Trump’s attacks on our communities, our rights, and our future. And thanks to all of you who made a special year-end gift in 2017, we are ready to rise and resist his disastrous agenda in the year ahead, and to work with you to reclaim the future we know is possible.

Here is what we’re working right now and how you can take action:

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A Clean Dream Act: The first order of business in 2018, demand Congress pass a Clean Dream Act. Democrats will once again have the opportunity tomake this a requirement before signing onto the next spending bill. Let’s make sure they stand with Dreamers and give security to almost 800,000 deserving young people who came to the U.S. as children. Call Congresss now!

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Replace NAFTA: We are demanding a new NAFTA that will benefit workers in all three countries, that ensures environmental and labor protections, and that does away with investor-state dispute settlement. Follow us on Facebook for the latest developments.

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Bridges Not Borders: Reality Tours continue to build people-to-people ties, understanding and unity around the world. Travel with us in 2018!

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Promise to Protect: Keystone XL is a violation of Indigenous rights and it will be stopped (again). We’re standing with Indigenous leaders in the #PromisetoProtect. Join a wave of #NoKXL resistance. Have you taken the Pledge? Sign up now.

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End the Blockade Against Cuba: Global Exchange will continue to play a central role in building understanding between the people of the U.S. and Cuba by expanding our program of educational travel tothe island. We oppose attempts by Trump to roll back progress made toward normal relations and an end the blockade. Come with us to Cuba in 2018!

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Town Hall Summer: In the spirit of Freedom Summer and so many summers since, we want to air the critical issues of the day in town squares and public halls across the U.S. We will bring people together tomobilize around core issues and build a broad civic groundswell ahead of the critical mid-term elections.

Thank you for joining us! We’re proud to have you by our side as we continue our work for peace, justice, and human rights.

Cuba takes a zero-tolerance stance on illicit drugs, vowing even to “fight drugs with blood and fire.” The drug policy appears to have been successful. Cuba has one of the lowest homicide rates in the western hemisphere, along with some of the lowest reported rates of illicit drug use, production, and transit. These accomplishments are unique in a region greatly affected by drug-related violence. They are also confusing.

Evidence increasingly shows that zero-tolerance approaches towards drugs like prohibition and punitive sanctions have contributed significantly to insecurity, violence, corruption, displacement, and a host of public health issues in Latin America and the Caribbean. Why hasn’t Cuba’s hard-line on illicit drugs yielded the same results? Will Cuba remain insulated from the costs of prohibition as it continues to open its doors to the international community?

Isabella Bellezza-Smull, the new Latin America & World Reality Tours Coordinator at Global Exchange, previously lived in Rio de Janeiro where she worked with the Igarapé Institute on drug policy reform. Her report Will Cuba update its drug policy for the twenty-first century? traces the country’s policy towards illicit drugs from the 1959 revolution to present. It discusses emerging challenges the island faces as it undergoes domestic reforms that allow for increased access to illicit substances. Isabella notes that Cuba has a unique opportunity to avoid the mistakes other countries have made in past decades by preventatively exploring alternative, proven approaches to drugs like harm-reduction, the decriminalization of use and possession, alternatives to arrest for low-level dealers and producers, and even the legal regulation of certain drugs like marijuana.

Her work was picked up by the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. Here is the transcribed interview:

Can we say that Cuba has been spared from the drug war and its harmful effects that we see in several countries around the world? How reliable are the Cuban government’s claims that the country does not have a drug problem?

In general term, yes, Cuba has been spared from the drug war. From the metrics available, we see that Cuba has one of the lowest homicide rates in the region, as well as very low rates of drug use, production and trafficking. These indicators have been corroborated by the US State Department over the past decades in INCSR reports [International Narcotics Control Strategy Reports]. And State has not easily bestowed praise onto Cuba given the historically fraught relationship, which helps confirm the reliability of these figures.

What has made Cuba such a unique case in the region, perhaps in the world? What have been the factors protecting the country from the plague of drugs, and how can Cuba’s progressive political and economic openings make them a problem?

Cuba has a very unique national context. State-sponsored universal access to education and health services are rightly considered to be crown jewels of the revolution. They’ve produced enviable results. Achievements like universal literacy, the dramatic reduction of certain diseases like HIV/AIDS, universal access to safe drinking water and basic public sanitation. Cuba also has one of the region’s lowest infant mortality rates and longest life expectancies. So Cuba has very successfully built a culture of health.

But the country has also been very isolated in economic terms — it has had limited engagement in international markets, which has hindered the entry of drugs and recreational drug cultures. And domestically, the conditions for drug sales have been poor given very low disposable incomes, largely due to the US economic embargo, but also because of the virtual absence of a private sector. But these conditions are gradually changing. Cuba has opened to the world slowly but surely since the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. And we see that with every opening, the Cuban government has been increasingly concerned about drugs. The drug issue is still relatively benign in Cuba, especially in comparison to neighboring countries, but it’s important to see how the situation develops.

Given Cuba’s current drug situation and the recent move towards more progressive approaches elsewhere that move beyond simple prohibition and repression, could Cuba become a laboratory of what might have happened — or can still happen — in other countries if they had adopted policies such as decriminalization, legalization or regulation of the drug market and harm reduction?

Certainly Cuba has the opportunity to get it right by moving away from prohibition and punitive sanctions, towards proven public-health-driven alternatives. So, the question is how the country will deal with the expected increased consumption, production, and drug trafficking. As is common, the Cuban government has publicly adopted a hard-line. The Cuban National Drug Commission in June of this year reaffirmed its commitment to fighting illicit drugs, but there is an important debate within the public health sector about how to approach increasing illicit drug use. And this is very encouraging because they’re questioning the traditional model of abstinence and “just-say-no” (to drugs). They are realizing that there are people who do not, or cannot, stop using drugs outright and that demanding abstinence should not be a precondition for treating or consulting them. This is in line with a harm reduction approach to drug use — focusing on the prevention of harm, rather than on the prevention of drug use, itself.

Could this reiterated conservative view of the Cuban government on drugs lead the country to lose this opportunity to deal with the problem more effectively?

Yes, this is a risk and it is something to be seen.

Although some protective factors against the drug problem in the last decades are changing, such as disposable income and access to substances, others will probably continue the same, such as the high level of education of the population and a solid system of public health. Can this also help “guide” the country toward more progressive and efficient drug policies?

Definitely, but again it will be a question of how the Cuban government goes about educating a new generation of Cubans about drug use. Education and prevention campaign discourse continues to be rooted more in “say-no” and abstinence than on complete, honest information about the effects and impacts of the use of certain drugs, particularly currently illegal ones like marijuana. If this continues, a new generation of Cubans experimenting with drugs could find that they can be used recreationally, because not all drug use is problematic. And this would create a discrepancy between what the Ministry of Education is teaching and what Cubans are experiencing, undermining the abstinence prevention discourse.

Will we then see a kind of denial, a discourse that drugs and their consumption are counter revolutionary things, a problem of bourgeois capitalist societies?

Yes, there may be a continuity of the rhetoric that there are no illicit drugs in Cuba, which is not entirely true, and that drug use is antithetical to revolutionary consciousness building. If the government is realistic about the existence of drugs in open societies, it will preventatively adopt new approaches tested elsewhere as it opens its doors. These could include decriminalizing the possession of all drugs for personal use, adopting harm reduction strategies, and elaborating alternative sentencing procedures for nonviolent drug offenders, including low-level traffickers and producers.

September 30, 2017, Havana, Cuba –

Meeting here, RESPECT, the largest association of US organizers of travel to Cuba unanimously rejected the Trump Administration’s Cuba travel warning and its decision to withdraw diplomatic staff from its Havana embassy.

The reaction came in response to Washington’s announcement that it is withdrawing 60 percent of non-emergency staff from the US Embassy in Havana and is warning US citizens to avoid travel to Cuba. The justification for both is unexplained health problems that 21 Havana-based US diplomats have reported.

In addition, unidentified US officials said the US Consulate in Havana would suspend issuing US visas to Cubans, indefinitely. The US Embassy will continue to provide emergency services to US citizens in Cuba.

“Based on the evidence thus far and the fact that the State Department says no other US citizens have been affected, we believe that its decision is unwarranted, and are continuing to organize travel to Cuba and encourage others to do so,” said Bob Guild, RESPECT Co-Coordinator and Vice President of Marazul Charters. He also stressed that US citizens and residents can legally travel to Cuba under US law, and that the State Department advisory in no way prohibits US persons from traveling to the island. 

RESPECT is joined by US commercial airlines and others in the travel industry who have publically expressed their intention to continue Cuba travel. Gail Reed, RESPECT Co-Coordinator and MEDICC Founder, noted 

“Cuba remains a very safe destination for US travelers.” 

The US Foreign Service Association, the powerful union that represents US diplomats around the world, also opposes any decision to withdraw US diplomats from Cuba. Association President Barbara Stephenson says “We have to remain on the field and in the game.”

The US complaint about the health issues originated almost a year ago during the Obama Administration when the two governments were working toward rapprochement. As acknowledged by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the Cuban government responded immediately and initiated an investigation, inviting the US government to cooperate.

At the invitation of Cuban authorities, the FBI went to Havana seeking evidence of what the US described as “sonic attacks” resulting in hearing loss and other symptoms. However, its agents found no devices or other evidence to explain the mystery.

None of the 500,000 US visitors to Cuba this year have reported similar health issues. Tillerson said this week, “We have no reports that private US citizens have been affected…”.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, speaking at the UN this month, reiterated that Cuba takes very seriously the protection of all diplomats in its country and would never cause them harm or allow others to do so, in accordance with the 1961 Vienna Convention. He also urged the US authorities to work more closely and effectively with the ongoing Cuban investigation, a point he raised again during his meeting with Tillerson this week.

Replying to the US move to reduce its diplomatic personnel in Havana, Josefina Vidal, Director General for US Affairs at Cuba’s Foreign Ministry, called the decision precipitous and said it will affect bilateral relations and cooperation in areas of mutual interest. She noted that Cuba had urged the US not to politicize the matter and insisted that Cuba needed the active cooperation of US authorities to arrive at a definitive conclusion.

“We fear that such hasty action by the Trump Administration, independent of scientific evidence, may be motivated by politics rather than concerns for health and wellbeing,” said Walter Turner, RESPECT Co-Coordinator and President of Global Exchange. “Thus, once again we encourage all US visitors to continue to travel to Cuba.” 

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Global Exchange is a founding member of RESPECT (Responsible Ethical Cuba Travel).  We are a 150-member US professional association of non-profit entities, travel agencies, tour operators and other travel service providers dedicated to practicing and promoting ethical and socially responsible travel to Cuba. Founded in December 2016 on the anniversary of the opening announced by the US and Cuban presidents, RESPECT held a two-day meeting at the Meliá Cohíba Hotel in Havana this week, where its members hammered out a 2017 Action Plan to implement its 17 principles. These include ways US travel organizations and travelers can contribute to protecting Cuba’s environment as it adapts to climate change, commit to non-exploitative relations with all Cubans and respect the country’s cultural heritage and expressions. The Association also defends the right of all US citizens and residents to travel to Cuba, and advocates lifting all US government travel restrictions to the island.

Report of NNOC National Meeting in Chicago
The 2016 meeting of the National Network On Cuba was held November 18-20 in Chicago, IL. All events took place at the University of Illinois, Chicago UIC) which was very generous in hosting us and allowing the NNOC to use their facilities. This was the first meeting to be held outside of Washington DC or New York City in many years due to the historic inability of Cubans to travel to and within the United States because of U.S. imposed restrictions on travel by Cubans.  The Chicago Committee worked for months planning the meeting and the results were quite successful. Cuban representatives at the meeting included ICAP North American Director, Sandra Ramirez, Leima Martinez, official of the North America Division and Miguel Fraga, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in Washington DC.

The weekend opened with a reception on Friday evening at the UIC Great Cities Institute, whose director, Teresa Cordova, welcomed us with a report of the history of UIC in the struggles of students and especially working students in Chicago.

The business meeting took place on Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20. We were hosted by the Rafael Cintron Ortiz Latino Cultural Center at UIC at their beautiful meeting space which was filled with inspiring murals of Latino struggles. There were voting representatives from approximately 30 NNOC organizations among the 60 attendees. Five new groups applied for NNOC membership and were unanimously accepted: Albany Cuba Solidarity, Altruvistas, Pittsburg-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership, Richmond-Regla Cuba Friendship Committee, and Seattle/Cuba Friendship Committee. AAPRP renewed their membership and other groups are considering joining the network.

A by-law change that was proposed in the 2015 meeting was discussed and accepted by a unanimous vote. The amendment states: “Any NNOC member group that has neither paid dues nor participated in a NNOC meeting for 3 years will be considered to have relinquished membership and will be required to reapply for membership should they desire to rejoin the network.”  Another change relating to dues payment schedule was withdrawn.

Election for co-chairs and treasurer was held and current co-chairs Alicia Jrapko, Cheryl LaBash, and Nalda Vigezzi, and treasurer Don Goldhamer were all re-elected unanimously.

A solidarity message from the Canadian Network On Cuba to the NNOC meeting was read highlighting the actions in Canada as well as sending greetings of friendship and solidarity.

The opening presentation was our ICAP friends who talked first about the tremendous victory at the United Nations where, in 2016, for the first time, the vote to condemn the United States blockade passed with no opposition (191 in favor of the resolution, 0 opposed, 2 abstentions). The also talked about their visits to area cities as guests of NNOC member groups: Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, in addition to Chicago. Sandra Ramirez also brought greetings from all of ICAP and reported on their work in the past year.

The first panel focused on OFAC prosecutions of travelers to Cuba and of IFCO/Pastors for Peace.
Peggy Valdez outlined the threats to revoke the 501c3 tax status of IFCO.  The alleged violations are minor record keeping issues but addressing those areas has been time consuming and costly for IFCO and threatens its 50 years of work.  IFCO has obtained an offer of fiscal sponsorship from the Alliance for Global Justice should they lose the case.  They are continuing to solicit letters of support to the IRS, White House, and Congress.
Art Heitzer reported on the renewed enforcement of travel restrictions and prosecution of traveler,  Albert Fox whose organization, Alliance for Responsible Cuba Policy Foundation, has been charged as an unlicensed travel provider due to 2 trips:  one opening a dialogue between the U.S. and Cuban oil drillers resulting in an agreement protecting the Gulf of Mexico from environmental disasters. The second trip brought civic leaders from Tampa, FL to Cuba to celebrate the first direct flight from Tampa in over 50 years.  He faces a penalty of $100,000 for “trading with the enemy”.  His legal defense team can be contacted to offer support or for more information at: artheitzer@gmail.com.

The Venceremos Brigade conducted an interactive session addressing issues of justice, anti-oppression, anti-racism and how the lessons from Cuba can help us in our neighborhood work; how collective energy can result in a better world.  The priority of the VB is anti-oppression/anti-racism in the U.S. and in Cuba.  Discussion involved how people have taken up the issues of race in our communities and in our work.  Breakout groups focused on discussions of anti-oppression and anti-racism.

The ELAM panel included 2 graduates of the medical school; Erlyne Hyppolite and Abeeku Ricks as well as Leima Martinez who serves as ICAP liaison to ELAM.  Both Erlyne and Abeeku talked about how their education focused on becoming a doctor who is socially aware, whose concern is the patient and his/her family and community, how they learned that to talk to the patient first, ask questions and listen to answers.  They talked about the challenges of living in a new country, new language, new culture, new food, etc. Their first hand report was enthusiastic, heartfelt, and authentic.  We are all grateful for their contributions to the U.S. medical community.

The final panel was Ethical Travel with Bob Guild and Walter Turner, founders with Gail Reed of the organization RESPECT (Responsible and Ethical Cuba Travel) and Sandra Ramirez. Respect is focused on purposeful travel, respecting the culture, institutions, sovereignty of Cuba and is working to ensure that people from the U.S. engage in mutual learning in areas of education, health, culture, etc. whether they travel on academic, people to people, religious, sister city, or other delegations.

A motion was made that the NNOC endorse a conference to be held in New York City in March, 2017 focused on completely lifting the blockade and what “normalization” means.  Motion passed unanimously.

Miguel Fraga, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy concluded the day with a power-point presentation including demographic achievements, comparisons of Cuba’s indices with other countries, and mentioned such underreported facts as the publication in Granma of speeches by both President Castro and President Obama, Cuba’s offer to send medical personnel to New Orleans, the financial damage of the blockade ($4.6 Billion in 2015 and $125.9 Billion total), the working and diplomatic relationships with 190 U.N. member nations, the history of U.S. based terrorism against Cuba, the increasing opposition to U.S. Cuba policy by the people of the United States, the overwhelming interest in travel to Cuba from people in the U.S. (nearly 137,00 visited Cuba in the first 6 months of 2016), the medical cooperation and medical research between Cuba and the U.S., bills in Congress to permit all travel.  Fraga reiterated that regardless of the political situation in the U.S., Cuba will not change its principals.

On Saturday evening, a public meeting was held in the UIC Student Center:  “An Evening Of Solidarity With Cuba.”  The hundreds of people attending the program were able to view, upon entering the hall, images of Fidel taken by Roberto Chile and compiled for Fidel’s 90th birthday.  In a bittersweet moment, given the passing of Fidel just one week later, a cake was shared to commemorate his 90th birthday. Speakers included First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy Miguel Fraga, ICAP officials Sandra Ramirez and Leima Martinez, Jose Lopez, brother of Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar Lopez Rivera, Aislinn Pulley, co-founder of  Black Lives Matter in Chicago, Abeeku Ricks, ELAM graduate, and Harold Rogers, from the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.  Additionally there were cultural presentations.  All spoke from first-hand experience of the contrast between the priorities, policies, and treatment especially toward young people and young people of color in the United States and in Cuba. (A video of this meeting is available at www.Facebook.com/CubaNetwork).

Sunday morning began with breakout groups brainstorming the topic of “Opportunities, Challenges, and Allies” in the Cuba Solidarity Movement in the United States.  The groups reassembled to present their ideas.
Opportunities: Guantanamo Conference, Cubans touring in the U.S., film festivals, Pan-African delegations, actions on inauguration day on Jan 20, advocating with Congress, local resolutions, May day, ELAM recruitment, Pastors for Peace, VB, Women’s Day, Cuban cultural presentations, ethical travel.
Challenges:  lack of funds, visa approval process, uncertainty around incoming U.S. President, reaching out to young people and other struggles, finding community partners, mis-information and dis-information about Cuba.
Allies: Black Lives Matter, ELAM grads, human rights organizations, unions, business community, religious community, progressive media, peace groups, immigrants, campus/student groups.

Over 20 local groups reported on their impressive activities and accomplishments of the past year and shared ideas of actions and approaches that we all can use in the coming year. Local groups are encouraged to send their activities and proposals to the co-chairs to post on the webpage:  www.NNOC.info.

ICAP closed the meeting with a summary of their priorities for our attention:  Guantanamo conference in May, 2017, 50th anniversary of Che’s murder, work with young people, legislative advocacy, “respectful” travel, Latin American as a Zone of Peace, video conferencing (such as NNOC webinar), etc.

Attached  please enjoy photos of the Chicago meeting taken by Bill Hackwell of the International Committee for Peace, Justice, and Dignity.

Cuban Women Dancing

Since 1988, Global Exchange has been offering meaningful, socially responsible travel through our Reality Tours. For eight of those years, Drea Hightower has been the backbone of our tours to Cuba. As a tribute to her leadership, and appreciated presence at Global Exchange, we would like to share with you a deeper look at our Reality Tours through the eyes of one of our most passionate team members.

We present to you, a Q&A with Drea.

 

Question: What separates Global Exchange Reality Tours from other modalities of travel?

Answer: Reality Tours provides participants the opportunity to have unique visits with groups and individuals that you wouldn’t have access to if you were traveling on your own. Our trips are always led by local guides and experts that are educated in a number of areas; they can speak with expertise on a variety of issues, as well as to the realities of the people in-country. Global Exchange and our partners are committed to exposing you as best as possible to the realities on the ground in each country; both the challenges and the achievements.

Question: Do you believe that people to people tourism helps alleviate cultural and political tension?

Answer: Absolutely. Simply giving yourself the space and opportunity to see and feel and experience another country, it’s people, and culture is a first step in suspending the tension that comes from simply not knowing. The same can be said on the other end when folks see you are taking the time to learn about them via travel. In my opinion it speaks volumes.

Question: What does an average day look like when on a Reality Tour?

Answer: When trip leading, I’m always busy. I’m up early, making sure everyone is feeling good and ready to start the day! I work as a team with local guides and drivers to ensure we’re supportive of each other during this experience. I’m always available to our participants to answer questions and facilitate dialogue if necessary. Of course I also take time to connect with our long-time friends and partners on the ground. Trips are a learning opportunity so you’ll also find me taking notes about new developments in-country, or just ideas on how to make our trips better!

For a participant, the day starts with breakfast with their fellow travelers. The morning comprises of meetings with community project leaders, and visits with ICAP hosts to hear about their perspective on Cuba and U.S. relations. After a relaxing, leisurely lunch and cafecito, (oh! and cuban ice cream or flan of course), participants will meet with local artists, visit polyclinics to learn about the healthcare system, and engage with educators through school visits. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the trip is meeting with CDR committees for the defense of the revolution. During this meeting you exchange with community members, which includes: one on one interactions with all age groups, lots of music and dancing, performances from kids while sharing fruits and beverages. This is an incredible opportunity for community building, by breaking down barriers through personal exchange. Also, because the trips are always led by a local guide, it really sets the tone for the tour. Participants are able to travel through a cuban prospective. Such a rich alternative experience would not be possible without our long time relationships with our partners on the ground.

Question: What have the participants expressed of their time in Cuba; regarding their mental state going in, and coming out of such a dynamic experience?

Answer: I talked to a woman today on the phone who is a part of a group of Black educators here in the states. She has been eagerly waiting to return to Cuba with Reality Tours. She told me, “The trip changed my life. It opened my eyes to other possibilities that work in the world.” She was speaking to the fact that a nation is able to survive in a different way than our own, concerning anything from education to healthcare.

Another participant from the New Years Eve trip to Cuba expressed to me that she felt like she came away from the trip as a daughter of the revolution. She truly understood how people were on board with the revolution, and how humbling Cuba has been to recognize that their economic model needs to evolve with the global economy. They are moving forward to be able to successfully progress with the world for their people. She was inspired by the pillars of the revolution, and by the governments ability to take accountability for a system that has not been as successful as they hoped, and then make steps to improve.

You learn in Cuba that the revolution prioritizes things that not even the US has.  Like education, health care, the arts, culture, and community. They removed access of private funding/business for programs like healthcare and education. Its not about who’s making money, its about their people and what they need.

Question: How has the reality tour impacted you, and your view on Cuba and the world?

Answer: Well it certainly impacted me in many ways. I’ve sort of become jaded. Not that Cuba has the best systems, but that they do have great systems in place that provides their community with the right to social programs such as health care and education. It has shown me what is possible in a society where you don’t have privatization. It gives me hope that we can strive for better in this country. But it has also opened my eyes to just how much emphasis we put on corporate interests here in the U.S. It just becomes that much more in your face. You start to see how corporations have taken control over aspects of our life. It is as though our government does not prioritize making its people healthy and educated, its about how can they make a dollar.

There is no denying that, politically speaking Cubans are divided. Just as anywhere else in the world. However, I doubt you would ever find a Cuban saying,  “Yes, I think privatization is a good idea.” Whether or not you believe in the revolution, the point of the trip is to see what we can learn from Cuba. Why it is a right to exchange with Cubans, to have people to people dialogues, to see what we can learn from Cuba, and how we can apply those things to enrich our lives.

Questions: Are there any last words that you would like readers to take away from this inside scoop on a Global Exchange Reality Tour?

Answer: I would like to share one of my favorite sayings that I believe embodies our Reality Tours, “Suspend disbelief.” If you can just pause and give yourself the opportunity to see something for what it is, knowing it’s not perfect, how we can learn from it, and apply the lessons learned to our own lives. This is the biggest gift of all, and I thank Cuba for giving me the opportunity to do so.

End Q&A 

 

Global Exchange is first and foremost a human rights organization, dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world. Reality Tours is just one of the many ways we aim to make change. By offering experiential educational tours, and connecting people to people, issues with movements, we know that our participants will leave feeling empowered to take action. Traveling is great, traveling with a purpose is even greater. Join us, or learn more about our Reality Tours here!

 

Special thanks to Drea Hightower,

drea_headshot

Yes, you heard that right. We are offering $200 off select trips this fall using the discount codes listed below.

From Fair Trade in Palestine, to indigenous rights in Mexico, to the Rights of Nature movement in India, this fall we have several great trips that will highlight important issues around the world. Join us as we meet with local leaders and movements to learn about the innovative ways communities and individuals are organizing for social change. Return with a new understanding of the issues and, perhaps most importantly, new ways to engage and support these inspiring movements from home.

But don’t miss out – discount codes expire September 1st!

Cuba: Sustainability and Community
October 10 – 17, 2015
$2,450
Promo Code: CubaGXfall15

During this historic time of change between the US and Cuba, we invite you to join us for a week-long People-to-People trip to learn from Cubans of the amazing work they are doing in and around Havana to create sustainable communities for all. This unique itinerary will look at sustainability via development, restoration, community programing and programs in the arts for the people.

Palestine: Fair Olive Harvest
October 24 – November 3, 2015
$2,500
Promo Code: PalGXfall15

Learn how Fair Trade cooperatives are restoring hope and providing economic alternatives to the Palestinian people. Stay with a local farming family and then harvest olives with farmers who use organic practices. Witness community-building traditions and cultivate a greater appreciation and understanding of Palestinian culture and pride. More importantly, you will learn first-hand from Palestinians about the impact of the occupation on farm lands, the economy, tourism and day-to-day life.

Oaxaca, Mexico: Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos
October 28 – November 5, 2015
$1,450
Promo Code: OxGXfall15

If you’ve never been to Oaxaca during its famous Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos celebrations, you really should. Join us as we make our annual pilgrimage to Oaxaca at the end of October. Dating back to the Aztecs, this celebration is a family event to remember departed souls and to celebrate the resurrection of their spirits. In addition, explore Oaxaca’s rich culture through excursions to historical archeological ruins, mezcal palenques, and artisan workshops. Meet with local social organizations and indigenous leaders, and learn about fair trade/free trade and globalization in Oaxaca.

India: Rights of Nature

November 1-11, 2015
$2,550
Promo Code: IndiaGXfall15

Travel to and stay at renowned activist and author Dr. Vandana Shiva’s Navdanya Biodiversity and Conservation Farm while learning about rights of nature in India and the power of the seed. While many over the past decades have explored the idea of living in balance with the planet and limiting the role of unfettered corporate power in all aspects of life, the rights-based movement that seeks to change fundamental law and culture is both relatively new and rapidly growing. It has kept pace with the realization that the current corporate-led global economic framework has brought us to the brink of economic and ecological disaster, and that true change will only come from the grassroots.

Venezuela: Community Development ​​

​November 21 – 30, 2015
$1,900
Promo Code: VzGXfall15

Travel with Global Exchange to dig past the headlines and explore the changes occurring in Venezuela, Latin America and the hemisphere as a whole. You will meet with human rights activists, rural agricultural workers, labor unions, community activists, journalists, government officials and opposition figures, and see for yourself the unprecedented social change that is occurring at this historic time in Venezuela and the region.

We hope you can take advantage of this great opportunity and travel with us this fall!

Check out our full list of travel opportunities

www.globalexchange.org/reality-tours

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Yes, you heard that right. We are offering $200 off select trips this fall using the discount codes listed below.

From Fair Trade in Palestine, to indigenous rights in Mexico, to the Rights of Nature movement in India, this fall we have several great trips that will highlight important issues around the world. Join us as we meet with local leaders and movements to learn about the innovative ways communities and individuals are organizing for social change. Return with a new understanding of the issues and, perhaps most importantly, new ways to engage and support these inspiring movements from home.

But don’t miss out – discount codes expire September 1st!

Cuba: Sustainability and Community
October 10 – 17, 2015
$2,450
Promo Code: CubaGXfall15

During this historic time of change between the US and Cuba, we invite you to join us for a week-long People-to-People trip to learn from Cubans of the amazing work they are doing in and around Havana to create sustainable communities for all. This unique itinerary will look at sustainability via development, restoration, community programing and programs in the arts for the people.

Palestine: Fair Olive Harvest
October 24 – November 3, 2015
$2,500
Promo Code: PalGXfall15

Learn how Fair Trade cooperatives are restoring hope and providing economic alternatives to the Palestinian people. Stay with a local farming family and then harvest olives with farmers who use organic practices. Witness community-building traditions and cultivate a greater appreciation and understanding of Palestinian culture and pride. More importantly, you will learn first-hand from Palestinians about the impact of the occupation on farm lands, the economy, tourism and day-to-day life.

Oaxaca, Mexico: Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos
October 28 – November 5, 2015
$1,450
Promo Code: OxGXfall15

If you’ve never been to Oaxaca during its famous Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos celebrations, you really should. Join us as we make our annual pilgrimage to Oaxaca at the end of October. Dating back to the Aztecs, this celebration is a family event to remember departed souls and to celebrate the resurrection of their spirits. In addition, explore Oaxaca’s rich culture through excursions to historical archeological ruins, mezcal palenques, and artisan workshops. Meet with local social organizations and indigenous leaders, and learn about fair trade/free trade and globalization in Oaxaca.

India: Rights of Nature

November 1-11, 2015
$2,550
Promo Code: IndiaGXfall15

Travel to and stay at renowned activist and author Dr. Vandana Shiva’s Navdanya Biodiversity and Conservation Farm while learning about rights of nature in India and the power of the seed. While many over the past decades have explored the idea of living in balance with the planet and limiting the role of unfettered corporate power in all aspects of life, the rights-based movement that seeks to change fundamental law and culture is both relatively new and rapidly growing. It has kept pace with the realization that the current corporate-led global economic framework has brought us to the brink of economic and ecological disaster, and that true change will only come from the grassroots.

Venezuela: Community Development ​​

​November 21 – 30, 2015
$1,900
Promo Code: VzGXfall15

Travel with Global Exchange to dig past the headlines and explore the changes occurring in Venezuela, Latin America and the hemisphere as a whole. You will meet with human rights activists, rural agricultural workers, labor unions, community activists, journalists, government officials and opposition figures, and see for yourself the unprecedented social change that is occurring at this historic time in Venezuela and the region.

We hope you can take advantage of this great opportunity and travel with us this fall!

 Check out our full list of travel opportunities

www.globalexchange.org/reality-tours

…

54 years ago, the Cuban flag flying above the Cuban embassy in Washington D.C. was abruptly taken down, as the United States cut official ties with Cuba approaching the height of the Cold War. For the next half century the flag remained that way, and a relationship of isolation and hostility prevailed between the two neighboring countries.

Today, July 20th, 2015, the Cuban flag is once again flying above that embassy building in Washington D.C. after being hoisted in a dramatic morning ceremony symbolizing the restoration of U.S.-Cuban diplomatic relations for the first time since 1961.

It’s a momentous day, especially for those like Global Exchange who have been working to restore ties between the U.S. and Cuba for the past few decades. Without a doubt, it is a major milestone in de-thawing a relationship that has remained frozen far too long past the end of the Cold War.

But while a welcome announcement, and certainly cause for celebration, we should remember that it’s just the first step towards normalization, as the restoration of official diplomatic ties in no way means that relations are now normal. Indeed, the economic blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba in 1962 remains firmly in place, and requires several difficult hurdles to be overcome in Congress in order to be lifted. Meanwhile, the blockade continues to cost Cuba (and the U.S.) billions of dollars annually, and remains the single largest obstacle to mended US-Cuba relations.

Also important is the return of the Guantanamo Naval Base to Cuba, its rightful owner, as well as an end to USAID-funded regime change programs that are still in place. Washington should also immediately lift the senseless restrictions on travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens and residents.

There is still a long road ahead to mending the US-Cuba relationship. While restoring diplomatic relations is a start, issues like the blockade, travel ban and Guantanamo still require our vigilant attention and may take much more time to overcome. But for now, let’s celebrate the importance of today’s step, while keeping an eye on the many more steps that still need to be made.

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Click here for more information on traveling to Cuba with Global Exchange!

IMG_3649Last week, the United States and Cuba formally announced they will restore full diplomatic relations and re-open embassies in Havana and Washington respectively on July 20th. Without a doubt, it is a momentous milestone in de-thawing a relationship that has remained frozen far too long past the end of the Cold War.

While a welcome announcement, it is also long overdue, and there still remains much to be done to end to the economic blockade and travel restrictions that continue to harm both Cuba and the United States.

Just a week prior to this historic announcement of re-opening embassies, Global Exchange sent Princeton University’s track and field team on an 8-day trip to Cuba that included stops in Havana, Mantanzas, Varadero and Santa Clara, as well as two international competitions with Cuban teams. In addition to the track meets, the itinerary included a meeting at ICAP (Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos – “The Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples”) for a discussion on US-Cuba relations, a CDR block party with a local neighborhood, and visits to various organizations, community leaders and artists.

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Princeton Track and Field at Estadio Panamericano, site of the 1991 Pan American Games

I was lucky enough to go along with the Princeton group for this trip, my first such trip to Cuba. Having traveled quite a bit through other Latin American countries, nothing could really prepare me for the reality of Cuba. While holding a lot of similarities to other Latin American countries, there are also many other aspects of Cuba that simply cannot be compared. Cuba is distinctly Cuba, largely because of its history. For example, its music and dance may bear resemblance to other parts of Latin America, but its 1955 Chevys and large Soviet-style public squares certainly do not.

While traversing the Cuban countryside, walking the narrow streets of Old Havana and mingling with Cubans of many walks of life, I continually reminded myself and others that we were experiencing truly historic times. It was, and still is, very recent that Presidents Obama and Castro dramatically announced that the U.S. and Cuba would be taking steps to normalizing relations, something that has not existed since 1961 when formal ties were abruptly cut approaching the height of the Cold War. And it was only a few months ago, in April, that Presidents Obama and Castro met for the first formal talks between the two countries’ leaders in more than half a century. While we were on Cuban soil we were witnessing, living and breathing history. We will look back at this period of time 30, 40, 50 years from now as nothing short of groundbreaking, and for those of us on the trip, we can say that we were there.

The Cubans we talked with knew this for sure. Almost everyone we spoke with on our trip mentioned the thaw, young and old. It is so clearly on the forefront of Cuban consciousness. And it is certainly now on the mind of many Princeton student-athletes, as it should be for Americans in general. To better understand US-Cuba relations is to better understand US-Latin America relations as a whole, both of present day and the past half century.

IMG_3693A highlight of the trip was watching the intermingling of students and students, coaches and coaches, athletes and athletes. Broken Spanish and English was attempted, and many smiles, handshakes, high fives and hugs were exchanged. It epitomized the essence of a People-to-People exchange and Citizen Diplomacy – the idea that, even if our governments haven’t always liked or talked with each other, that doesn’t mean the people cannot.

I also continually reminded myself, and others, that Cuba has the potential to change more in the next 5-10 years than it has in the previous half-century. The changes that will come to the island, as a result of not just normalized diplomatic relations but an eventual end to the economic blockade and travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. government, are sure to be swift and transformative. The changes are yet to be fully seen, and it’s hard to tell how things will unfold. But to be sure, an eventual lifting of the blockade and travel restrictions will bring major changes to the island. Time will tell what those changes will look like. But for now, it’s important to realize that anyone traveling to Cuba during this historic time will be witnessing a Cuba that may not exist as it currently does a decade from now.

We knew more news regarding US-Cuba relations would be coming soon, but little did we know that it would be just one week after our return to the States that the embassy openings would be formally announced, nor that it would be just three more weeks from then that the U.S. embassy would actually open in Havana, the first time one has officially operated in Cuba since 1961.

There is still a long road ahead to mending the US-Cuba relationship. While restoring diplomatic relations is a start, the economic blockade and travel ban still face tough hurdles in Congress that may take much more time to overcome. But nonetheless, we are experiencing historic times in US-Cuba relations. Luckily for the Princeton track and field team, and myself, we were able to witness some of these changes in person, walking (and running) the very ground that Che Guevara traversed, while the present day attempts to mend the divisions and hostility of the past.

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Click here for more information on opportunities to travel with Global Exchange to Cuba!

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