The U.S. government is criminalizing free speech, the right of U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba, and to bring humanitarian aid.
‘Solidarity isn’t something you ask for’
Statement from the International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity
May 25, 2026
In a grotesque, fascist escalation reminiscent of the shame of McCarthyism, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Treasury reportedly announced the opening of an investigation against 145 nonprofit organizations and nearly 40 U.S. representatives and activists for denouncing the genocidal blockade against Cuba, visiting the island, and bringing medicines, powdered milk, infant formula, and solar panels to hospitals.
At this point it is unclear how many of the groups mentioned have actually received any notices except for “a Fox News digital investigation” that listed many of the more prominent solidarity groups as ” Pro-Cuba activist “groups and collectives across the U.S. mobilizing in support of the Cuban government and the Communist Party of Cuba.” Following the United States’ indictment of revolutionary hero Raúl Castro, the framing and insinuations of potential DOJ interference are entirely baseless and represent a dangerous attempt to distract and criminalize international solidarity, dissent, and anti-imperialist organizing.
Social, political, religious, legal, labor, cultural, and educational organizations; media outlets; university groups; solidarity campaigns for agriculture; medical supply drives; educational and cultural exchange programs; public fundraisers to aid the Cuban people; convoys, flotillas, caravans, and demonstrations are now under the inquisitorial microscope for the crime of acting in solidarity with a neighboring people who have never attacked the United States but suffer the ravages of a blockade that has lasted more than six decades.
The harassment and pressure against grassroots organizations, public figures, and activists aim to silence the growing voices in the United States that speak out against the failed, cruel, and genocidal policy of the longest blockade in history.
In the 21st century, the obscurantism of the current administration surpasses the McCarthyism of the last century and the Inquisition of centuries past.
Public figures and activists—many of whom are part of the Network in Defense of Humanity—are being questioned as to whether they violated the ban on traveling to Cuba and staying in hotels included on an illegal list simply because they are 100% Cuban.
Their participation in the Convoy Nuestra América is being criminalized; the convoy was comprised of more than 650 people in solidarity from 33 countries and 120 organizations worldwide, led by Jeremy Corbyn, Pablo Iglesias, Chris Smalls, Thiago Ávila, Michele Curto, Luciano Vasapollo, parliamentarians, musicians, journalists, intellectuals, and artists.
One wonders if they will include in their harassment and persecution the members of the Black Caucus, Democratic representatives, and artists such as Danny Glover, Alice Walker, Susan Sarandon, James Early, Kevin Costner, Steven Spielberg, Michael Moore, and Oliver Stone—for the crime of having traveled often to the only country in the world off-limits to Americans.
Will they summon former President Barack Obama for having committed the sin of visiting Cuba after the resumption of relations? For strolling and dining with his family in Old Havana? Will they summon Obama’s advisor, Ben Rhodes? Will they summon the U.S. baseball team that played a friendly game with Cuba?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is ignorant of such basic principles as decency, any sense of justice, friendship, and solidarity among peoples. He is ignorant of the humanism that drives so many and who are multiplying in the United States and around the world to do good, so that the children of a small neighboring country—which has never offended, threatened, or invaded the United States—a country that poses no threat to the national security of the U.S. or any other country in the world—do not die due to a lack of power in an incubator, and so that a chronically ill patient may have the medicines that the blockade prevents them from acquiring in Cuba.
It fails to recognize that none of those included in this odious investigation need instructions from any government to mitigate the lethal damage that the U.S. regime inflicts on Cuba through the energy blockade; just as humanity does not need them to mobilize against Israel’s genocide in Palestine.
We condemn the harassment and persecution of our friends, brothers, and comrades who have always supported the resistance of the Cuban people and the just causes of humanity with immense respect and affection.
We stand in solidarity with Socialist Cuba, its Revolutionary Government, the beloved President Díaz-Canel, and the historic leader Raúl Castro Ruz for their exemplary lives in defense of their people and their international solidarity with all the peoples of the world.
They will not be able to silence our free voices; they will not be able to stop the solidarity and friendship between the people of the United States and Cuba.
They will not be able to stop or block International Solidarity.
The Secretary of State ignores and mocks the majority of the world, which, with the exception of the U.S. and Israel, demands an end to the criminal blockade that has lasted for more than three decades, year after year, at the UN General Assembly.
As Reverend Lucius Walker, who organized unlicensed caravans with material aid to Cuba for over 20 years, used to say “The U.S. government cannot tell us who our friends are.”
We love life. We reject war with all our might. But if Cuba is attacked militarily, let the imperialists know that we will stand with Cuba to defend it.
Source: International Committee for Peace, Justice, and Dignity