We post this progress report from the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society about the From Australia to Cuba with Love campaign. The primary aim of the campaign is to end the US blockade of Cuba. There are various arrangements under different acts that the United States uses to impose an embargo on Cuba. This is the most enduring trade embargo in modern history. For example under the United States Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA) US businesses and associated entities may not have any kind of financial interest or trade with Cuba. President Obama set this aside. Hwever, in the last days of his unravelling presidency, Donald Trump reimposed the TWEA. He cited Cuba as being a terrorist state because it hasshut out intruders into its airspace.- Ian Curr, 22 June 2023.
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Now in the third week (3rd June – 30th July 2023) of ‘From Australia to Cuba with Love’, we are pleased to be still welcoming new participants. We currently have 47 individual participants and 6 teams. Collectively we have travelled over 5,312 km in 19 days, which means we have less than 10,000 km to go over the next 39 days.
To date we have raised $2,545, and we want to thank all our donors. Your contribution will make a real difference to the Cuban people, who are paying heavily for the sanctions imposed by the US government.
Part of our campaign is a call for the United States to take Cuba off the list of ‘State Sponsors of Terrorism’. It had been removed from this list during the Obama administration, but Trump cynically put Cuba back on the list during the dying days of his presidency. The current US Government under Biden states that there is no intention of removing Cuba from this list.
The implications of this listing are deeply felt within and outside Cuba. The impacts on Cuban people have been dramatic, creating issues with transport, delivery of health and education programs, food production and availability of everyday items. You can read more about it at this website: https://www.wola.org/analysis/human-cost-cuba-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-list/
Even though Australia has no policy restrictions against Cuba, due to the close relationship between the US and Australian governments and our intertwined financial and trade relationships, the extraterritorial reach of the US sanctions around the world places wide-ranging impediments on our ability to make bank transfers and send humanitarian aid.
Since Cuba has been included in the US list of ‘State Sponsors of Terrorism’, Australians who have been to Cuba since 12 January 2021 are no longer entitled to a visa waiver (ESTA) to travel to the United States and must apply for a more costly visa through the US embassy.
Your participation in our campaign is a valuable contribution to the global solidarity movement that is calling for justice for Cuba. Every kilometre you travel, every conversation you have and every dollar you raise is making a difference.
Please take the extra step and encourage your friends, neighbours, workmates and relatives to join or sponsor you! Share your profile on social media. Post an update on your blog page on the campaign website. Send us any photos of your activities to info@acfs-brisbane.org. And keep moving
Sue Monk
22 June 2023
Australia–Cuba Friendship Society (Brisbane)
info@acfs-brisbane.org.au