The Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW) and the Pan African Unity Dialogue (PAUD) organized a diverse delegation of civil rights, faith, business, civic, cultural, and media leaders to witness firsthand the conditions facing the Cuban people. The delegation sought to strengthen solidarity efforts, expand humanitarian assistance, and support civic education aimed at ending the blockade and sanctions that have contributed to Cuba’s prolonged crisis. As the delegation affirmed, its message to the long-suffering Cuban people was simple: help is on the way so, in the words of the late great friend of Cuba, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, “Keep Hope Alive.”
Humanitarian and healthcare challenges
Reading about Cuba’s hardships is one thing; witnessing them is another. Delegates saw communities enduring frequent power outages, forcing families to live by candlelight and purchase food daily because refrigeration was unavailable. The impact on healthcare was particularly troubling. Medical professionals described postponed surgeries, interrupted dialysis treatments, and shortages of essential medicines and equipment. Doctors often faced difficult decisions about allocating scarce resources. While Cuba has historically maintained a low infant mortality rate, healthcare workers reported increasing challenges linked to these shortages.
Fuel shortages and daily life
The effects of fuel scarcity were visible throughout Havana. With fuel costs reaching extraordinary levels, public transportation and sanitation services were severely limited. Buses sat idle, garbage accumulated in some neighborhoods, and residents worked together to keep their communities clean despite difficult conditions.
In a high-level meeting with H.E. Carlos Fernandez de Cossio Dominiquez, Deputy Foreign Minister for the Republic of Cuba, he shared an impactful recitation of the people-centered accomplishments of the Revolution. He also noted that the Cuban Revolution has achieved the most social-economic development of any nation in Latin America with free, quality health care, free education and free housing for all of its citizens, and one of the most highly developed health care systems in the world.
Delegation meets with Cuba’s President
The delegation was then honored to meet with Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who reflected on the accomplishments of the Revolution and Cuba’s contributions to developing nations. He argued that decades of economic restrictions have limited the country’s potential and that recent sanctions have intensified the hardships experienced by ordinary Cubans. Government and civic leaders consistently described the current situation as one of the most severe crises in the nation’s recent history.
Race and identity
The delegation also explored issues affecting Afro-Cubans. Although Cuba has long prohibited racial discrimination and Afro-Cubans serve in positions of leadership throughout society, delegates learned that racial inequities persist in areas such as health, education, employment, economic opportunity, and incarceration. At the same time, the delegation observed the deep influence of African history and culture throughout Cuban society. Expressions of solidarity with Africa and African-descended peoples were evident across institutions and communities.
Resilience and community response
Despite the challenges, delegates encountered a powerful spirit of resilience. Visits to community organizations such as the Karibuni Community Center and the Martin Luther King Center revealed networks of mutual support, education, and humanitarian assistance. Residents, organizers, and faith leaders demonstrated determination and hope as they worked together to address the hardships caused by the ongoing economic crisis and sanctions.
