Even after devastating hurricanes and the Matanzas oil fire, it is nearly impossible for U.S. humanitarian and faith organizations to provide humanitarian aid to Cuban people. The main obstacle is the fact that Cuba is on the State Department’s “State Sponsors of Terrorism List.”
It doesn’t belong there.
President Obama removed Cuba from that list in 2015 as part of the opening of diplomatic relations with Cuba. But then the Trump Administration placed Cuba back on the list. The excuse given was that Cuba was hosting members of the ELN guerrilla group. Yet the previous Colombian government had asked Cuba to help host them as part of exploratory peace talks. Today, the Colombian government has once again asked for Cuba’s help in supporting peace negotiations.
Cuba’s presence on this list is one of the biggest obstacles for Cuba to receive any type of financial transaction from the private sector, faith, and humanitarian organizations for fear of running afoul of U.S. anti-terrorism laws and regulations. This blocks humanitarian organizations from addressing the severe challenges facing the Cuban people–including shortages of food, medicine, and other life-saving items.
To this day, Cuba remains on the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism List (SSOT).
Yet everyone should have the right to give and receive humanitarian aid.
So here is what we are going to do to once again, allow humanitarian aid to the Cuban people! Join us on March 15 and 16th for national call-in days to the White House to remove Cuba from the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism List. We know you are ready to pave the way for humanitarian aid to the Cuban people. To learn more about the SSOT designation click here.
What You Can Do!
Call the White House!
When: March 15 and 16th
Time: 11AM – 3PM Eastern time (these are the days of the week that the White House Switchboard accepts calls)
It’s time to stand with the people of Cuba.
Now’s your chance to join organizations across the country calling out for Cuba’s removal from the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism List.
Next week, we will send you a call to action and more details. Meanwhile, save the date!
In solidarity,
Ana from the LAWG Team — Ana, Lisa, and Yadira
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