57 | Hands Off Cuba!
On this episode of the Sports As A Weapon Podcast, Miguel interviews Hakim Jihad and Wells Todd of the US Hands Off Cuba Committee about a recent youth and labor delegation to Cuba. Hakim and Wells Todd discussed the meetings the delegation had with Cuban mass organizations such as CENESEX (Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual), participation in May Day marches, and visits to clinics and Havana’s Calixto García hospital to deliver medical aid amid shortages and blackouts they attribute to the US blockade and new oil restrictions.
Hakim and Wells respond to the Fox News coverage on the delegation and Cuba by arguing that Cuba is framed as a “national security threat” because of post-revolution gains in healthcare, education, LGBTQ rights, and pharmaceuticals, including vaccines and other treatments. Miguel, Hakim and Wells Todd also discuss signs they believe indicate possible US military escalation or even invasion, address the push by the Trump administration to indict Raúl Castro tied to Brothers to the Rescue flights, and outline Hands Off Cuba’s current priorities in their Jacksonville chapter and nationally: “No War on Cuba” organizing, humanitarian aid efforts, and the Let Cuba Play campaign to make sure Cuban athletes can obtain Visas and participate at the 2028 Olympic Games.
00:00 Intro Music
00:14 Sports As A Weapon Intro and Social Media Info
01:32 Guests: Hands Off Cuba’s Hakim Jihad and Wells Todd
03:57 Hands Off Cuba Delegation Report back
06:26 Fox News Propaganda
09:27 Cuba Then and Now
11:35 Healthcare and Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina (ELAM)
17:25 US Invasion Warning Signs
21:43 Cuban Sports and Let Cuba Play Campaign
27:38 Raul Castro Indictment
33:47 Hands Off Cuba Organizing in Jacksonville and Nationally
38:54 Final Calls to Action
Links:
* Hands Off Cuba Committee Website
* Let Cuba Play Campaign Website
* Cuba Denounces Devastating Impact of U.S. Blockade on Childhood at UNICEF/teleSUR English
* Why Students From the U.S. and Around the World Study Medicine in Cuba/Belly of the Beast Cuba (YouTube Video)
* Why Is the U.S. Targeting Raúl Castro Now? / Belly of the Beast Cuba (YouTube Video)
* Anti-Fascist Football Coalition Website: https://peoplescenteredhumanrights.com/move-the-games/
