Statement from CCFA President, Elizabeth Hill | May 22, 2024
It was a tiny step in the right direction when on May 15th, the State Secretary submitted to the US Congress a report that no longer included Cuba on its list of countries it alleges “do not fully cooperate with the United States antiterrorist efforts”.
However, unfortunately, the United States still maintains its unilateral list of countries it alleges actually sponsor terrorism, in which without any justification, includes Cuba.
The Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association Toronto (CCFA Toronto) has long maintained that Cuba is a victim of terrorism, not a sponsor. Cuba must be removed from this arbitrary list.
In addition to the harm of more than 60 years of the illegal economic and financial U.S. blockade, the presence of Cuba on this Sponsors of State Terrorism list has caused further financial hardships for Cuba and its citizens.
Canadians are well aware of the numerous attacks against Cuba emanating from the United States. Just to name a few – the downing of Cuban Airlines flight 445, the bombing at Copacabana Hotel which killed a Canadian resident, and hundreds of attempts to kill Cuban leader, Fidel Castro.
Cuba deserves normal relations of respect and non-interference, trade and cultural exchanges and an end to the war of sanctions and misinformation.
The CCFA Toronto calls upon the United States Government to implement President Biden’s promise to change US policy towards Cuba. Such change is long overdue.
Elizabeth Hill,
President, Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association Toronto
May 22, 2024