In Defence of the Revolution: A Cuba Solidarity Podcast

As major Canadian airlines suspend service to Cuba, Samantha and Cam discuss the impacts of these suspect cancellations on both tourism and international solidarity. Sign and share the Parliamentary petition: https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-7082Further reading:‘Waiting and watching in Cuba’ by Tyler Searle (Winnipeg Free Press, February 9, 2026): https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/02/09/waiting-and-watching-in-cuba‘An Open Letter from the Cuba Tourist Board to the Canadian Travel Industry’ (Travel Press Staff, February 11, 2026): https://www.travelpress.com/an-open-letter-from-the-cuba-tourist-board-to-the-canadian-travel-industry/

Samantha, Robert, and Cam discuss Trump’s total blockade of Cuba, preventing any fuel from reaching the island and intending to asphyxiate the Cuban people.This has been one of the most dangerous weeks in the history of the Revolution, and now is the time for action. Sign and share the Canadian Network on Cuba’s Parliamentary Petition (linked below) and get connected to a solidarity group in your city at canadiannetworkoncuba.caLET CUBA LIVE!Petition to the Government of Canada:Whereas:Canada is a signatory to the United Nations Charter and to other international conventions upholding international law, peaceful coexistence, and sovereign equality of states;U.S. military attacks on Venezuelan civilians and the kidnapping of President Maduro constitute flagrant violations of international law, national sovereignty, freedom of navigation, and the fundamental principles of peace and self-determination, constituting an immediate and ongoing threat to regional peace;Washington has directly singled out Cuba, Colombia and Mexico for military intervention;The U.S. is waging an escalating economic war - with other coercive measures and threats - against Cuba, which has been repeatedly rejected by the UN General Assembly as contravening the principles and norms of international law, especially the right of self-determination; andWashington's actions are a threat to Canada's sovereignty and independence.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Publicly condemn U.S. aggressions as violations of international law;2. Refuse to participate in, support, or legitimize military, economic, or political aggressions against Venezuela and other countries;3. Reaffirm and actively support the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, free from external military intervention;4. Actively reject any and all interventions and military aggressions against Cuba, Colombia and Mexico;5. Firmly oppose U.S. economic and other coercive measures against Cuba and vigorously advocate for their removal;6. Deepen economic ties, trade and assistance to Cuba; and7. Unequivocally uphold and promote the right of self-determination of the peoples and countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-7082

Robert and Cam discuss the dangerous escalations in Latin America and the Caribbean, including US attacks on Venezuela, the kidnapping of President Maduro, and new threats against Cuba. Robert delves into Marco Rubio’s links to organized crime.Recommended reading:‘The Narco-Terrorist Elite,’ by Maureen Tkacik (The American Prospect): https://prospect.org/2025/12/23/narco-terrorist-elite-rubio-south-america-iran-contra/‘The mythomaniac Marco Rubio’ by Hedelberto López Blanch (Granma): https://en.granma.cu/mundo/2026-01-08/the-mythomaniac-marco-rubio‘No to Imperial Aggression! No to Might-Makes-Right! Condemn U.S. Aggression Against Venezuela!’ (CNC Statement): https://canadiannetworkoncuba.ca/2026/01/04/no-to-imperial-aggression-no-to-might-makes-right-condemn-u-s-aggression-against-venezuela/‘Cuba’s Strong Condemnation of the Cowardly U.S. Aggression Against Venezuela and its Absolute Support for that Sister Nation’ - Statement of the Revolutionary Government: https://misiones.cubaminrex.cu/en/articulo/cubas-strong-condemnation-cowardly-us-aggression-against-venezuela-and-its-absolute-5

Robert and Cam are joined by Isaac Saney to discuss the life and example of Assata Shakur; the 65th anniversary of the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution; recent US manoeuvres against Venezuela; and a new digital campaign by the Canadian Network on Cuba. Support the Campaign! Email your representative today and demand that they oppose the illegal US blockade: http://canadiannetworkoncuba.ca/campaignsFurther Reading:A Letter to the Pope from Assata Shakur (March 1998): http://www.assatashakur.org/pope.htm65 Years of Power: The Explosive Legacy of the CDR anniversary in Cuba’s Revolutionary Defense (teleSUR, September 28 2025): https://www.telesurenglish.net/cdr-anniversary/Speech of Fidel Castro at the United Nations General Assembly (September 1960): http://lanic.utexas.edu/project/castro/db/1960/19600926.htmlCondemn U.S. Imperialism in the Caribbean by Isaac Saney: https://canadiannetworkoncuba.ca/2025/09/03/condemn-u-s-imperialist-aggression-in-the-caribbean/

Robert and Samantha talk about the selection of Miss Universe Cuba 2025 and the uses of pageantry for empire; exaggerated rumours of Cuban fighters in Russia; Cuba’s role in confronting colonialism in Africa; rising pension rates; and more on the Code of Childhood, Adolescence, and Youth. 

Samantha and Cam discuss recent attacks on Cuba’s youth athletes by the United States; the significance of the new draft Code of Children, Adolescents, and Youth; and a demonstration in the National Assembly of Cuba's responsibility for its most vulnerable people. Further reading:‘Cuban Girls Softball Team Benched by Travel Ban’ (Belly of the Beast): https://www.bellyofthebeastcuba.com/news/cuban-girls-softball-team-benched-by-travel-ban‘The Council of State analyzed draft laws, prior to their submission to the National Assembly,’ by Enrique Moreno Gimeranez (Granma): https://en.granma.cu/cuba/2025-07-11/the-council-of-state-analyzed-draft-laws-prior-to-their-submission-to-the-national-assembly‘Código de la Niñez, Adolescencias y Juventudes’ by Isabel Díaz González (Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular): https://www.parlamentocubano.gob.cu/noticias/aprueba-asamblea-nacional-codigo-de-la-ninez-adolescencias-y-juventudes

Samantha and Cam discuss recent threats to Cubans from Mike Hammer, Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Havana; the denial of U.S. visas to Cuban athletes; more spurious rumours of Chinese spy bases in Cuba; and new evidence of a Spanish cyberattack on Cuban government institutions. Additional reading:‘Mysterious hacking group Careto was run by the Spanish government, sources say,’ by Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai (Techcrunch): https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/23/mysterious-hacking-group-careto-was-run-by-the-spanish-government-sources-say/‘Collateral Damage: The Environmental Cost of Cuba’s Terrorism Designation,’ by Vinicius Pereira (Who What Why): https://whowhatwhy.org/international/collateral-damage-the-environmental-cost-of-cubas-terrorism-designation/

Robert and Cam are joined by Camila Escalante, co-founder and editor of Kawsachun News, to discuss the restoration of funds to the National Endowment for Democracy, its role in Cuba and Latin America, and the destructive career of Marco Rubio. Recommended reading:1. ‘Under Trump, NED to continue weaponizing “democracy” in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba’ by Roger D. Harris and John Perry for Kawsachun News: https://kawsachun.com/under-trump-ned-to-continue-weaponizing-democracy-in-venezuela-nicaragua-and-cuba/2. ‘NED targets Cuba with $6.6 million in 2025’ by Camila Escalante: https://kawsachun.com/ned-targets-cuba-with-6-6-million-in-2025/

Robert and Cam discuss the significance of Victory Day as Cuban leaders attend the annual ceremonies in Moscow; as well as the reactionary subtext of new CBC reports on tourism to Cuba. Recorded May 7th, 2025. 

Samantha and Cam discuss the passing of Pope Francis; the criminal record of right-wing “activist” José Daniel Ferrer; and the abuse of a family tragedy by anti-Cuban commentators.https://cubaminrex.cu/es/decreta-el-presidente-de-la-republica-duelo-oficial-por-fallecimiento-del-papa-francisco

Robert, Samantha, and Cam discuss the situation of Cuban athletes in the United States; new US restrictions on ships that dock in Cuba; Marco Rubio in Jamaica; and an encouraging stance against the blockade from members of the UK parliament.

Robert and Cam discuss the multi-pronged attack of Operation Mongoose—a CIA-led plot to destabilize the Cuban government, authorized in 1961 and newly illuminated by Trump's declassification of thousands of JFK-related files. Also featured: how the blockade creates Cuba's blackouts; new moves against Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans living in the United States; and the hopeful defunding of Radio Martí.

Robert, Samantha, and Cam continue their discussion of the US attack on Cuba's medical missions, highlighting the strong response from the Caribbean Community, or CARICOM.

Robert and Cam discuss the 65th anniversary of the La Coubre explosion and the tragic origin of Cuba's national motto, "Patria o Muerte"—Homeland or Death; and observe International Working Women's Day with a brief history of the Federation of Cuban Women. This episode is dedicated to Paulo FG (1962-2025).

As the United States expands visa restrictions on Cuban doctors working abroad, Robert and Cam discuss Cuba's long history of medical internationalism and the values that accompany this global outreach.

How does the blockade influence Canadian-Cuban trade relations and tourism with Cuba? Robert, Samantha, and Cam discuss Canada's Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act; the development of tourism in Cuba since the Special Period; and why the anti-Cuba lobby wants to stop people from visiting the island altogether.

It's been another dizzying week in US-Cuba relations. Robert, Samantha, and Cam discuss the ignoble career of Mauricio Claver-Carone, Trump's special envoy for Latin America; the reintroduction of the DEMOCRACIA Act by Florida Senator Rick Scott; the history of private actions under the Helms-Burton Act; and the end of USAID.

More threats from the United States and some hope from BRICS; Cam reports back from the Sixth International Conference for World Balance in Havana; Rob discusses the history of Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp; and Samantha lays out the advantages of BRICS as an alternative payment system.

In the last, flailing moments of his administration, Joe Biden finally made good on his campaign commitment to US-Cuba Normalization, removing Cuba from the infamous State Sponsors of Terrorism List—a move that Trump 2.0 quickly reversed. Rob and Cam discuss the history of Cuba's inclusion on this list, and go over the long record of US-backed terrorism against Cuba. (Recorded January 23, 2025)