Action Center - Latin America Working Group

Press Releases on the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act

by Paulo Gusmao on April 30, 2003

The following press releases were sent out by the offices of the Senators who, on April 30, 2003 introduced "The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act" in the Senate. Original cosponsors were Senators Enzi, Baucus, Bingaman, Dorgan and Chafee. Below are press releases in support of that bill from organizations that work with the LAWG on ending the embargo on Cuba

:Congress Watch

Statement of the House CWG on Dissidents' Sentencing

by Paulo Gusmao on April 11, 2003

As members of the Cuba Working Group, we condemn the Cuban government's detention and sentencing of many Cuban citizens who have been promoting civil, political, and human rights, hosting independent libraries, or practicing independent journalism. We call on the Cuban government to reverse this course of action and release these people immediately.

:Congress Watch

Cuba Working Group in the House of Representatives

by Paulo Gusmao on June 10, 2002

In a show of growing interest to see changes made to US policy towards Cuba, a "Cuba Working Group" of 17 Republicans and 17 Democrats emerged in the House of Representatives. Group membership has since expanded to 44 members, evenly divided between the parties, and representing 23 different states. The members of this group have asserted that the embargo is a 40 year old failed policy, and have taken a stand against the Bush administration's attempts to further isolate the nation. The goals of this group, like many of those who have been working in the LAWG coalition, is to see an end to all restrictions on the sale of food and medicine to Cuba and an opening of travel for all Americans, as a "step-by-step" loosening of the trade embargo.

:Congress Watch

Senate Cuba Working Group Letter to the Interest Section

by Paulo Gusmao on April 02, 2003

As a response to the arrests of dissidents in Cuba, members of the newly-formed Senate Cuba Working Group sent the following letter to the Chief of the Cuban Interests Section. It urges the Cuban government to release the dissidents and to work toward a de-escalation of tensions between the two nations.

:Congress Watch

House of Representatives "Cuba Working Group" Releases 9-Point Plan for US-Cuba Policy

by Paulo Gusmao on March 15, 2002

On May 15, the newly formed Cuba Working Group in the House of Representatives released its much anticipated review of U.S. policy toward Cuba. The bipartisan group of 40 members state their desire to see Cubans enjoy greater political and economic freedom, and feel that the 40 year old policy of embargo has been a failure. They further call on the President and Secretary of State to exercise consistency in their foreign policy - citing that the United States currently maintains a policy of engagement with communist China and North Korea.

:Congress Watch

Senate Forms Cuba Working Group

by Paulo Gusmao on March 21, 2003

On March 21, ten members of the Senate announced the formation of a bipartisan “Cuba Working Group.” According to their announcement, the purpose of this working group is to examine US policies toward Cuba, including current trade and travel restrictions. The group hopes to move in unison with the year-old House Cuba Working Group in this year’s legislative session. The groups will likely introduce identical bills on travel in the near future in their respective chambers, with the hope that this coordinated push will move the issue further legislatively than in past years and get travel legislation to the President’s desk.

:Congress Watch