Cuban Americans for Cuba lobbyists push for easing U.S. sanctions on Cuba

Cuban Americans for Cuba, established by Danny Valdes following a travel delegation organized by the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples, has been actively lobbying Congress since April to oppose U.S. sanctions on Cuba. Valdes, whose grandfather was detained for counter-revolutionary activity, describes his shift from his family's anti-Cuban stance to supporting the island’s socialist government. The group has met with members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and other Democrats, while Republican offices in South Florida have declined meetings.

Valdes argues that sanctions have failed to achieve their goals for more than six decades and instead harm ordinary Cubans and Cuban-American families. He also highlights the group's discussions on issues such as LGBT rights, women's equality, immigration reform, and climate change during its Washington engagements.