Toronto, May 16, 2026
We, representatives of the associations of Cubans residing in Canada, in the year marking the Centenary of Fidel Castro, took part in the 19th National Meeting in the city of Toronto on May 16, inspired by our love and respect for our homeland and by our commitment to preserving our national identity. We are also fully aware of the historic urgency facing Cuba today in light of the growing threats by the United States to its sovereignty, the well-being of the Cuban people, and their right to self-determination, as well as their right to a full and dignified life.
We shared the work carried out during 2025 and discussed ideas and perspectives on how to confront future challenges as associations within our communities, from the use of new technologies to the effective use of social media and alternative media to defend Cuba’s cause. We also addressed collaboration with Canadian solidarity groups supporting our homeland and explored ways to deepen and expand that cooperation for the benefit of our common cause.
This year, we developed a series of activities aimed at educating new generations of Cubans born in Canada in the celebration of our patriotic commemorations and our culture. We aspire to new generations who proudly embrace and uphold their Cuban roots.
The Cuban-Canadian Association of Ottawa-Gatineau, the Association of Cubans Residing in Montreal, Helping Hands for Cuba, Niagara Falls, and the Juan Gualberto Gómez Association of Toronto, with the best wishes for peace and prosperity for our homeland, agree on the following lines of work until the 20th National Meeting of Cubans Residing in Canada:
- To strengthen the struggle to preserve the sovereignty and independence of our Homeland.
- To work tirelessly with new generations of Cubans, including those born in Canada, instilling in them knowledge of Cuba’s history, culture, language, patriots, and heroes who gave their lives to preserve our independence, sovereignty, and national identity.
- To increase coordination among Cuban organizations and their communities in Canada.
- To continue firmly supporting the solidarity work of Canadian associations and organizations in solidarity with Cuba and to join efforts to continue sending aid to our second homeland.
- To demand the unconditional lifting of the United States blockade against Cuba, which negatively affects the living standards of Cubans and whose extraterritorial effects violate the sovereignty of Cuba and other countries, including Canada.
- To demand the immediate and unconditional return of the territory illegally occupied by the United States in Guantánamo, internationally known as the Guantánamo Bay Naval Base.
- To call on the Government of Canada to strongly denounce the violation of the fundamental rights of the Cuban people caused by the U.S. blockade against Cuban families and to ask that it send fuel to the Island.
- To defend our inalienable right to maintain and strengthen our ties with our homeland.
- To demand the immediate removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, a political manipulation by the United States intended to further tighten the siege suffocating our families.
- To condemn the interventionist and hegemonic practices of the U.S. government against Cuba and to demand full respect for the sovereignty and independence of our homeland.
- To urge the U.S. government to resolve its differences with Cuba through respectful dialogue and on the basis of equality.
We hereby conclude this 19th National Meeting of Cubans Residing in Canada, committed to continuing to support the just causes defended by the Cuban Revolution, the image of Cuba, and the values of independence, sovereignty, and unity instilled by Fidel, whose legacy remains a constant source of inspiration. We hereby convene the 20th National Meeting of Cubans Residing in Canada, to be held in the city of Ottawa on May 15, 2027.
Associations of Cubans Residing in Canada
- Cuban-Canadian Association of Ottawa-Gatineau.
- Association of Cubans Residing in Montreal.
- Juan Gualberto Gómez Association of Toronto.
- Helping Hands for Cuba, Niagara.