Fact-finding Trip To Cuba 02/19/2024

From February 19-22, 2024, the Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA) led a fact-finding trip to Havana, Cuba for Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Ilhan Omar, along with their staff and staff from the office of Rep. Barbara Lee. The objective was to learn about economic, political, and social issues in Cuba.

During the trip, we met with an array of Cubans, including Cuban officials responsible for U.S. bilateral relations; we conversed with officials at the U.S. Embassy and other foreign diplomats based in Havana; and we met with families of political prisoners detained following the events of July 11, 2021. Additionally, the group connected with Cuban entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders, gaining insights into the effects of U.S. policies on the island and understanding the island's current state.