Vol. 75/No. 29      August 8, 2011

The response to the bill here is but the latest confirmation of the weakening influence of counterrevolutionary Cuban American groups, which for decades dominated politics and intimidated opposition in Miami.

Under the regulations that Diaz-Balart seeks to bring back, family visits to Cuba were limited to once every three years and remittances to $300 every quarter to immediate family members only.

The caravan was organized by the Asociación de Mujeres Cristianas en Defensa de la Familia (Association of Christian Women in Defense of the Family), as well as other member groups of the Alianza Martiana (Martí Alliance), a coalition of organizations promoting normalization of U.S. relations with Cuba.

At Diaz-Balart’s office, 20 women presented a letter opposing the reintroduction of the pre-2009 regulations, while the caravan circled the block around the building.

About a dozen Cuban American rightists tried to intimidate them, thrusting bullhorns at their faces and blasting their sirens at close range. But the women—many of whom have been defenders of the Cuban Revolution in Miami for decades—stood their ground unprovoked as police looked on.

Earlier this year the White House issued new travel and remittance regulations, which eased some restrictions on travel by U.S. residents to Cuba. In line with U.S. imperialist policy for the last 50 years, these new rules are crafted with the aim of undermining Cuba’s socialist revolution. Like previous administrations, the Obama White House claims to be promoting “democracy” and “independence from Cuban authorities.”

One recent change, for example, allows U.S. residents to send up to $500 per quarter to anyone in Cuba in order to “support private economic activity, among other purposes.” To anyone, that is, except high-ranking officials of the Cuban government or “senior members” of the Communist Party of Cuba.

Washington remains the only government in the world that prohibits travel to Cuba by most of its citizens. The Obama administration maintains, in full force, the economic and financial embargo against Cuba, designed to maximize hardship and punish the Cuban people for overthrowing the U.S.-backed Batista dictatorship in 1959. Over the last two years, the White House has increased funding for its spy program and patronage of counterrevolutionary groups on the island.

The easing of travel prohibitions has created yet another rift among opponents of the Cuban Revolution in Miami. According to Reuters, 350,000 Cuban Americans visited Cuba in 2010 alone.

On July 7 the Agenda for the Transition in Cuba, made up of groups and individuals on the island opposed to the Cuban government, held a press conference in Havana criticizing the proposal to restrict family visits and remittances. They urged the Congressional supporters to back off and withdraw the amendment.

El Nuevo Herald published a full-page ad July 12 from the Cuban-American Commission For Family Rights, opposing the amendment by Diaz-Balart. The ad includes an open letter to Obama urging him to reject the amendment.

The White House budget office issued a statement July 13 saying Obama’s “senior advisors would recommend a veto” of any amendment or legislation that reverses the current policies in place towards Cuba travel and remittances.
 
 
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Role of women’s platoon in Cuba’s revolutionary war
Cuban Revolution sets the example  
 
 
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