Policy & Advocacy
Backgrounder on Cuba, September 2012
Backgrounder on Cuba, September 2012
President Raúl Castro’s government has introduced limited economic and social reforms increasing property rights, small business activity, and access to credit while significant restrictions and human rights concerns persist. The Catholic Church in Cuba has made cautious gains in engagement with the state, expanding some pastoral and social activities and receiving permissions for new institutions, but continues to face constraints on education, communications, and foreign pastoral personnel. U.S. policy under President Obama eased travel, remittance, and people‑to‑people restrictions, which the USCCB supports as a way to strengthen Cuban civil society and improve the lives of ordinary Cubans. The USCCB urges Congress to resist reimposing prior restrictions and ultimately to end the embargo while continuing solidarity with the Church in Cuba.
Recent reforms and state actions
- Raul Castro announced reforms granting greater latitude to own property, run small businesses, and access credit.
- The government released many political prisoners following dialogue with Cardinal Jaime Ortega, though some refused exile and remain jailed.
- The Church was permitted to build the first religious institution in over 50 years and to operate a business school in Havana.
- Significant restrictions remain on religious education, mass communications, and reception of foreign pastoral agents.
Catholic Church presence and activity
- The Church provides social assistance reaching sick, elderly, and disabled Cubans despite limitations on scale.
- The Church celebrated the fourth centenary of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre in 2012 and hosted Pope Benedict’s pastoral visit.
- Engagement between Cuban authorities and Church leaders has improved dialogue but not removed core restrictions on religious freedom.
U.S. policy developments and congressional debates
- In 2009 and 2011 the Obama Administration eased travel, remittance, and people‑to‑people restrictions and expanded permission for economic assistance to Cubans, steps welcomed by USCCB.
- Congressional efforts have sought to reverse aspects of engagement and reimpose pre‑2009 limits on travel, remittances, and agricultural sales, but such legislation had not passed.
- The unresolved arrest of an American citizen in December 2009 continues to complicate normalization efforts.
USCCB position and rationale
- Engagement rather than isolation is the preferred approach: increased contact pressures the Cuban government to be more open and strengthens civil society.
- The embargo has tended to strengthen government control and weaken civil society, while many ordinary Cubans suffer persistent deprivation.
- The USCCB opposes the travel ban, supports expanded agricultural sales, and stands in solidarity with the Church in defending religious liberty and human rights.
Recommended actions
- Urge Congress to end travel restrictions on all Americans visiting Cuba and to allow expanded agricultural exports.
- Resist legislative attempts to reimpose more burdensome travel and remittance rules.
- Support eventual repeal of the economic embargo and continue tangible support for the Church in Cuba’s pastoral and social ministries.