URGENT ACTION: Push Congress and the Biden Administration to Respond to Cuba’s Humanitarian Emergency

As Cuba’s humanitarian emergency continues, research and advocacy group the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) is closely monitoring the situation alongside our partners. Over the last months, we have published a series of statements, editorials, and explainers as developments occurred on the island. Now, with Congress in recess and many members back in their respective districts, we urge you to call your representative and senator to push Congress to take concrete action to alleviate U.S. measures that bar direct relief efforts from reaching those in need. We also ask that you publicly condemn the inaction of the Biden-Harris administration in taking formal and concrete steps to address the humanitarian crisis on the island in a productive manner.

In an effort to provide an overview of the ways in which different U.S. sanctions and restrictions hinder humanitarian relief, WOLA, the Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA), the Latin America Working Group (LAWG), and other key allies working on U.S.-Cuba policy have put together a packet of resources which include the latest statements, analyses, and talking points on the most pressing priorities to alleviate the crisis.

We urge you to contact your member of Congress to support:

• Removing barriers to humanitarian aid to the island

• Lifting restrictions and caps on family and donative remittances

• Removing private and commercial travel restrictions

• Re-staffing of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba

As organizations and individuals opposing the U.S. embargo on Cuba and supporting engagement, WOLA, CDA, LAWG and others will continue to call on the Biden-Harris administration to take immediate action to prioritize measures that will concretely aid the Cuban people. We also remain committed to changing U.S. policy toward Cuba for a return to a policy of engagement and a path to normalization as a whole.