​In the spirit of esperanza—hope—Cuban and American Presbyterians are working together for a future when the U.S. embargo is lifted, travel and trade between the U.S. and Cuba are unfettered, and all of our churches can work together in God’s kingdom here on earth.

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Toward that end, both Cuban and American Presbyterians must build relationships with their governments’ leaders. We American Presbyterians have a special duty to tell our leaders about our experiences and share with them how failed U.S. policies continue to hurt the people of both countries. We serve as in-person witnesses to the policies’ economic strangulation and hardship on the Cuban people.

 

At the urging of our Cuban partners, we advocate for:

 

• Keeping Cuba off the U.S. State Department’s list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. 
  This unjust classification has been hugely detrimental to our Cuban partners.
   

• The full re-staffing of U.S. consular offices in Havana and an easing of restrictions on non-immigrant travel. The bureaucratic complexity, uncertainty, and expense of planning travel frequently keep us from praying, worshiping, and being together.
   

• The end of the U.S. embargo. This six-decade failure punishes both the Cuban and American people and is a barrier to our religious freedoms.

Calls to action

 

We strongly encourage Cuba Partners Network members, friends, and allies to join us in our advocacy for improved relations with Cuba by contacting congressional representatives and senators in writing. It’s easier than you may think—and we can help you get started.

 

• Find the addresses for your representatives and senators. Simply enter your zip code in the "Contact Your Member" section  ( https://www.congress.gov/)
   

• Use our template to make your letter-writing easier. Click to download a PDF file and customize as desired.
   

• Expand your advocacy efforts by sharing your work. When you reach out to your elected officials on behalf of our Cuban partners, please let the CPN Advocacy Committee know. If you schedule a meeting with your representative, we would like to share those details with others if possible.
  
  Here’s our e-mail address:  CubaPartnersNetwork@gmail.com

 

More resources

The following documents and toolkits can also help you formulate your communications:

 

• PC(USA) General Assembly Commissioners Resolution
  "Reaching Out in Concern for the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba and the People of Cuba" June 27, 2024  (https://www.pc-biz.org/search/3001378)
   

• Latin American Working Group Cuba Advocacy Toolkit
  "Demanding the Removal of Cuba off the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism List, Ending the Embargo, and U.S. Travel Ban " Updated October 2023.
  (https://www.lawg.org/cuba-advocacy-toolkit-2024/)
   

• PC(USA) Office of Public Witness Toolkit:
  "Holy Discontentment: Lifting Your Voice for Effective Advocacy"  2013
  (https://pcusa.org/resource/holy-discontentment-advocacy-resource)

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Links to our partners

 

We amplify our voices by working with others. Visit the these websites and get on their mailing lists:

 

• Presbyterian Office of Public Witness: https://pcusa.org/about-pcusa/agencies-entities/interim-unified-agency/ministry-areas/office-public-witness
   

• Latin American Working Group: https://www.lawg.org
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• Washington Office on Latin America: https://www.wola.org
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• Alliance for Cuba Engagement and Respect (ACERE): https://acere.org

Informative, updated media sites

 

• Center for Engagement and Advocacy in the Americas (CEDA): https://www.weareceda.org/
   

• New York Times Cuba page: https://www.nytimes.com/topic/destination/cuba
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• Miami Herald Cuba search: https://www.miamiherald.com/