End the Travel Ban on Cuba

Colombian pop star Juanes has planned his second “Peace without borders” concert for September 20th -- UN International Peace Day --  in Havana, Cuba.  Cuban stars Silvio Rodriguez and salsa band, Los Van Van, along with Puerto Rican singer Olga Tañon have also committed and there is speculation that some U.S. artists have been invited too.  Juanes has formally requested to sing in the Plaza of the Revolution between the statue to José Martí and the grand image of Che Guevara.  The show will be free and open to a huge Cuban audience. Juanes’ intention is to "transcend politics,” so what’s the big deal?

We’re organizing a National Day of Action called CubaGO!  Strategically-identified delegations from across the country will be coming to DC to meet with their members of Congress. But in order to really make an impact, the delegations will need back-up from you.  That is why we’re encouraging you to “Call in for Cuba!

It’s time to get active!

Congratulations to Pastors for Peace and the Venceremos Brigade on their safe return from Cuba yesterday.

On Saturday, Cuban President Raul Castro, while addressing the Cuban parliament, again announced that his government stood ready to discuss anything with the Obama Administration.

President Castro’s statement both reaffirms his government’s commitment to the principles of the 1959 revolution and his willingness to reestablish a cordial relationship with the United States. See coverage here.  

The movement is growing. The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act is gaining support in the House and the Senate. Please take a minute to support the brand new End the Travel Ban Facebook page.

We've been keeping up the pressure on Congress for months to end the travel ban on Cuba.  The "Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act" legislation introduced in the House and Senate this spring now has more co-sponsors than any Cuba bill in memory.

Mark your calendars!  The end is in sight, but we need one more BIG PUSH to make the co-sponsor list jump.

Activist groups nation-wide continue to rally against the travel ban.  The Inter-religious Foundation for Community Organization/ Pastors for Peace’s annual U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment Caravan (video) successfully crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with 100 tons of aid bound for Cuba. Click here to see the press release about the crossing.

Outside the Base at Guantanamo Bay last week, the US Military and Cuban Frontier Brigade worked together in basic preparation for major disasters. This is not a new collaboration, but the Obama Administration opted to make the exercise public, in contrast to the previous Bush policy of keeping it secret.  According to US Marine Corps General Jack Sheehan, the preparations are yet another sign of an “Incremental process” towards more cooperation.  ''We've never advertised [the exercise]… because it was very controversial,'' he said.  The Administration seems to be sending yet another “trial balloon,” with this announcement, following the talks on migration last week in New York.