CCFA Niagara – Cuba

This site is constructed to provide insight into Cuba and the Cuban people. It is further designed to inform you of the Canadian-Cuba Friendship Association and our Niagara Chapter, CCFA Niagara.

It is now 60 years since the Castro led revolution was victorious in defeating the Batista dictatorship, implementing revolutionary changes and setting Cuba on its socialist path.

Since then Cuba has had many accomplishments. It has gone way beyond what any other developing country has achieved in a similar period of time. Cuba is recognized by the UN to be a world leader in health care delivery, in education, in racial harmony and eliminating poverty. It has made huge advances in science and bio-technology, pharmaceuticals and environmentalism. Cuba is widely recognized for the humanitarian work it provides to the world.

The Cuban economy continues developing despite the U.S. embargo. Imagine how Canada would fare with a U.S. embargo against this country. Every year the UN General Assembly calls upon the U.S to end its destructive illegal embargo against Cuba but the U.S. continues its failed policy of attempting to destroy the Cuban economy.  CCFA Niagara joins the world in speaking out against this injustice.

Prior to the COVID Pandemic over a million Canadians visited Cuba last year and they generally agree the Cuban people are friendly and gracious hosts. Cubans appreciate Canadians because Canada gave recognition and support to Cuba, while the U.S. took a path of hostility against Cuba and its revolution. Cuba is very safe. Day or night you can safely travel throughout the country. Cuba is not a police state as often characterized by detractors.

While racism continues, it exists on the margins. There is no comparison with the racism that existed prior to the revolution or exists in the U.S. today. Cuba has not achieved their goal of creating an egalitarian society as a middle class exists alongside the poor. Still, Cuba today is far more equal than most any other country.

Cuba is a country unlike any other in its international solidarity and internal social harmony. For over 54 years Cuba has been sending healthcare workers to help countries around the world experiencing natural disasters. “After God comes Cuban Doctors!” is the refrain of Haitians thankful for the earthquake assistance from Cuba.

Nelson Mandela declared “The Cuban people hold a special place in the heart of the African people. Their contribution to African independence, freedom and justice, goes unparalleled for its principled and selfless character”.

Much loved Fidel Castro has passes and Raul Castro has stepped down as the Cuban President. Miquel Diaz-Canel was chosen president through a series of elections. There will be change and  uncertainty but thank-fully, there is a determination amongst the people that the revolutionary goals and ideals shall remain. Hope you will explore this web site further and learn more of this exceptional country.

Our Mission Statement

The CCFA Niagara undertakes to initiate and promote activity and continuous growth of friendship between the Canadian and Cuban Peoples. Our activities are directed toward the development of mutual exchanges in the areas of information, culture, health and education. We work in cooperation with other groups and individuals in Canada having similar aims and interests.

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FIDEL CASTRO
Our Hero, Our Teacher, Our Inspiration
1926 – 2016
Your Struggle Will Live On

Miguel Diaz-Canel
President of Cuba

After five months of elections at three levels of governing, Cuba for the first time since the revolution has a president that does not bear the Castro name – a generational change.
For those of us who love Cuba, and all it stands for, pleasingly Miguel firmly stated that he will maintain the Revolutionary Course for Socialist Cuba.

Cuba Adopts A New Constitution
In an exercise of participatory democracy some 780,000 suggestions and 9600 proposal were considered in 133,000 citizen meetings held between August and November 2018. The new constitution was approved with 85.8% voter support. The 229 article constitution was ratified by the Cuban National Assembly on December. 22, 2018.

Prior to the pandemic over a million Canadians visited Cuba each year. Many understand the warmth and helpfulness of the Cuban people. They may know that Cuba has sent thousands of their doctors to mostly poor countries around the world, setting up hospitals and saving lives. They can understand that Cuba is the most liked country in the world being bullied by biggest country in the world.

Today, many Cubans are suffering largely because of Trumps toughening the U.S. embargo/blockade and sanctions, which Biden promised to curtail but has not. Remove the sanctions and there would be no suffering in Cuba. Cuba has immense potential.

In a recent speech, President Daiz-Canel said, “if they want to make a gesture towards Cuba, if they really are concerned about the people, if they want to solve Cuba’s problem: lift the blockade and lest’s see how we do.

Support Cuba by supporting Canada-Cuba Friendship Association (CCFA Niagara)