September 1, 2022
On August 23, 2022, the Committee in Solidarity with Cuba (CSC) of Puerto Rico sent a press statement to the world explaining how the United States’ FBI has been harassing, intimidating, and attacking recent participants in the Puerto Rican Juan Rius Rivera Brigade to Cuba. Like dozens of solidarity Brigades, the Juan Rius Rivera Brigade travelled to Cuba during a time when Cuba is facing major challenges due to the global Covid-19 pandemic and the tightening of the over 60-year U.S. blockade. Their press release explains, “The Brigade delivered health donations for the control of COVID to hospitals on its tour of the country, as well as cultural and educational exchanges with the people.” For this important work the Brigade should be celebrated, not harassed!
The press release further explains how on August 23, across the Island of Puerto Rico, “agents who identified themselves as from the FBI visited more than a dozen brigade members and friends of solidarity […] alleging an investigation against the CSC, its president, and the solidarity militancy.”
These “visits” are a clear intimidation tactic against the democratic rights of activists in Puerto Rico to organize and build friendship and solidarity between the proud peoples of Puerto Rico and Cuba.
Why is the FBI threatened by Puerto Ricans travelling to Cuba? Why is the FBI threatened by humanitarian aid being sent to Cuba? Because we know that the FBI and U.S. imperialism are worried about the people of Puerto Rico learning about the example of Cuba. About Cuba’s struggle for independence from U.S. domination and Cuba’s decision to build a dynamic socialist project only 90 miles off U.S. shores.
We know this FBI harassment of Cuba solidarity organizers and leaders is not an isolated incident. In the past months the FBI raided the African Peoples Socialist Party offices in the United States. Soon after, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio — taking his right-wing Cuba-hatred to a new level — demanded that the FBI investigate the incredible Cuba solidarity work of Puentes de Amor (Bridges of Love) and its founder and leader, Carlos Lazo.
We have a responsibility to stand up and speak out against all FBI threats, intimidation, harassment, and attacks on solidarity organizers who are fighting for friendship, for solidarity, and for a more just future.
VCSC sends a message of unity, strength, and solidarity to all members of the Committee in Solidarity with Cuba (CSC) of Puerto Rico and its President, our compañera Milagros Rivera.
We will stand and support our friends and co-fighters in the Committee in Solidarity with Cuba (CSC) of Puerto Rico and the Juan Rius Rivera Brigade!
FBI Hands off Cuba solidarity organizers and supporters in Puerto Rico!
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