Final Declaration of the Fourth National Meeting of Cuban Residents in the United States, in Defense of the National Sovereignty and against the Blockade

A representation of the Cuban citizens residing in the United States met in this Fourth National Meeting, in Washington DC, four days prior to the vote at the United Nations of a Resolution that will urge the lifting of the US blockade against Cuba, a policy that affects us all both on the Island and abroad. This Meeting has taken place eight days after the regional meetings of Cuban residents in Europe and Latin America. We welcome the agreements announced in both meetings.

 

We have witnessed with concern how on the past June 16, the White House announced the result of the review of the Cuba policy, which means a backward step in the bilateral relationship built in the past years, and how in late September the Department of State unilaterally decided to draw down the US diplomatic staff in Havana and to reduce the Cuban diplomat staff in Washington DC.

 

These decisions have a direct impact on issues of interest for Cuban residents in the Unites States. For that reason, we consider that it is more important than ever that we unite, under the guidance of Marti’s thinking, to:

 

1.- Inform in our communities on the issues addressed in this Meeting, particularly, the danger that entails the reversal being implemented in the bilateral relationship between the United States and Cuba.

 

2.- Promote pronouncements in the city councils and local legislatures in favor of normalizing the relationship with Cuba, lifting the blockade and the freedom to travel.

 

3.- Urge other citizens, non-governmental organizations, business persons, universities  and others to support the bills being discussed in Congress to improve the relationship with Cuba.

 

4.- Reject the announcements made on the past June 16 by President Donald  Trump in Miami, who was surrounded by persons that neither represent the feeling of the majority of the Cuban Americans, nor of the American citizens that advocate for the betterment of the relationship with the Island.

 

5.- Reject the drawdown of diplomatic staff in both capital cities and its particular impact on the consular section, which directly affects the services rendered to the Cuban citizens residing in the United States and their families.

 

6.- Meet again in October 2018 to analyze the state of these issues.

 

Signed by: The participants in the Fourth National Meeting of Cuban Residents in the United States, Washington DC, 28 October 2017.