Policy & Advocacy
Backgrounder on Cuba, January 2017
Background on Cuba, January 2017
President Raúl Castro’s government introduced limited economic reforms expanding property rights, small business activity, and credit access while serious human‑rights and civic‑space concerns persist. The Catholic Church in Cuba has made measured gains in dialogue and pastoral activity but continues to face significant state constraints on education, communications, and reception of foreign clergy.
Church role and activity
- The Church delivers social assistance to the sick, elderly, and disabled and conducts pastoral ministries within government limits.
- Pope Francis’s 2015 visit reinforced pastoral ties and high‑level engagement.
- U.S. bishops maintain solidarity through visits and material support for pastoral and social work.
U.S. - Cuba engagement since 2014
- Diplomatic relations were restored in 2014–2016, Cuba was removed from the state‑sponsor‑terrorism list, and President Obama visited Cuba in 2016.
- Obama ended the “wet foot, dry foot” policy in January 2017.
- Executive actions eased travel, remittances, and charter flight rules; full repeal of trade and travel restrictions requires Congressional action.
- Congressional efforts to reimpose prior restrictions have so far not succeeded.
USCCB position and rationale
- Engagement and people‑to‑people contact are preferred over isolation as the best means to foster civil society, religious freedom, and human rights in Cuba.
- The bishops argue the embargo has strengthened state control and harmed ordinary Cubans; easing travel and trade would pressure the government to be more open.
- The USCCB opposes reimposing burdensome travel and remittance limits and supports eventual repeal of the embargo.
Recommended actions
- Urge Congress to lift travel restrictions for all Americans, expand trade (including agricultural sales), resist efforts to reimpose pre‑2009 limits, and move toward ending the economic embargo.
- Continue active support for the Church in Cuba’s pastoral and humanitarian mission.