JOIN OUR 29TH FRIENDSHIPMENT CARAVAN TO CUBA THIS JULY, AND BE A PART OF ENDING THE US BLOCKADE OF CUBA

US citizens are free to travel anywhere in the world, except Cuba. To travel to Cuba you need permission, a license, from the US government. This has been the case for over 50 years. In his final years President Obama made licenses very easy to get, as well as taking some steps to reduce the underlying US economic blockade of Cuba. However President Trump has adopted a very hostile stance towards Cuba, partially reversing Obama’s actions, and reduced the possibilities for individual licensed travel.

IFCO/Pastors for Peace believes that licenses should be scrapped and we should be freely able to travel to Cuba and meet our Cuban sisters and brothers. Since 1992 we have taken 28 Caravans of people to Cuba without a license as a conscious act of CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.  

CARAVAN DATES

• June 22-July 1      Caravan educational routes and events throughout the US
• July 16-18                 Participant Orientation in Toronto, Canada
• July 19                       Fly to Santiago de Cuba
• July 19 – July 29      Program in Santiago and Guantanamo provinces
• July 30                      Fly back to Toronto
• July 31                      Return to US

Participation in a Caravan route is encouraged but optional. The orientation in Toronto is mandatory.

Cost of program – $1650    Round trip travel to Toronto from US not included

PROGRAM IN CUBA

This year we will spend 11 days in Cuba meeting with people of this beautiful island. Following a mandatory three day orientation period in Toronto we will fly to Santiago in Eastern Cuba. Our stay will primarily be in the city and province of Santiago but will include day trips to the province of Guantanamo.

In Guantanamo we will visit the community of Caimanera to learn about the impact of the illegal US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay.  We will also witness how the province has recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 and learn how Cuba prepares in advance for hurricanes. In Santiago our program will explore how the Cuban people are moving forward in fields such as healthcare, organic farming and sustainable tourism, as well as their efforts to tackle the legacies of racism, sexism and homophobia. We will also witness and explore the role of organized religion in Cuba.

We will travel in some of the Cuban revolution’s footsteps, visiting the mountainous rural area known as the Second Front during the revolutionary war, as well as the final resting place of Fidel Castro in Santiago. Our visit will include participation in the July 26th celebration of the 65th anniversary of the attack on the Moncada Barracks that Cubans celebrate as the very beginning of their revolution.

We will be staying in basic accommodation, the weather will be HOT (high 80s) and the program hectic, so be prepared for and be medically fit enough to withstand a challenging trip.

The Caravan visit to Cuba will be preceded in late June by 10 days of Caravan vehicles traveling to public events throughout the US, where IFCO representatives will talk about the US blockade of Cuba and what needs to be done to achieve truly normal relations between the US and Cuba.  Participants in the 29th Caravan do not need to travel on all or some of a route but your participation is encouraged.

Application forms are available from friendshipmentcaravan@ifconews.org or by calling 212-926-5757 ext. 6
DEADLINE TO APPLY: May 1ST 2018