In Defence of the Revolution: A Cuba Solidarity Podcast

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.