UCC GMP meets with Cuban Ambassador, discuss ongoing humanitarian crisis on the island

United Church of Christ General Minister and President/CEO, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, along with staff members of the Office of Public Policy and Advocacy, met with Cuban Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Lianys Torres Rivera at the Cuban Embassy in Washington D.C., to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis and how the UCC will continue to support partners worldwide. 

The April 20 meeting lasted an hour with Thompson asking questions of how the UCC can support the Cuban people through policy changes that the UCC is pushing for at the federal level. Thompson also talked about support to the country via Global Ministries.

“This meeting was another opportunity to build the relationship and learn about the resilience of the Cuban people, even as we determine how we can be a part of the church advocating for change,” said Thompson. 

In her most recent On My Mind Today blog titled “Warfare without Bombs,” Thompson reflected on the impact on war without weapons, which includes embargo and misinformation. “Cuba has now endured 67 years of United States blockade following the Cuban missile crisis,” wrote Thompson in the blog. On May 1, President Donald Trump signed a new Executive Order, authorizing sanctions on non-U.S. individuals and entities, including foreign financial institutions engaged in certain conduct with Cuba. 

Torres Rivera noted ways in which the U.S. sanctions are impacting the island, which sits 90 miles off of the Florida Keys. She noted there are almost 100,000 people awaiting surgery on the island, including 11,000 children. 

“This embargo is hindering the ability to attend to the care of some of the most marginalized on the island,” said Thompson. “The poor, the sick, the hungry who are among the least of these are most affected and that includes children and women.”

The Rev. Michael Neuroth, director of the Office of Public Policy and Advocacy, said the stories shared during the meeting were powerful examples of the suffering of the Cuban people and their resilience in the face of “U.S. maximalist policies.”

“The designation of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terror and the ongoing economic embargo are deeply misguided and immoral policies that have contributed to a humanitarian crisis in Cuba,” said Neuroth. 

“Our ecumenical witness connects to partners on the island who are able to assess the needs of the communities they serve and to global organizations which are a part of the humanitarian efforts being provided,” said Thompson. 

The Office of Public Policy and Advocacy has several resources for the wider church to engage in letting elected officials know to denounce the embargos:

• JPANet Action Alert “Tell Congress: Hands Off Cuba!” 
• Recent sign on letter in support of a Cuba War Powers Act, endorsed by the UCC
• June 15 action hour registration: Registration link to promote to your networks for the action hour at 5pm ET on Monday, June 15.

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