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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">US National Endowment for Democracy Targets Cuba With $6.6 Million in 2025</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Camila Escalante</div>
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<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time">May 14, 2025</div>
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<div class="gmail-moz-reader-content gmail-reader-show-element"><div id="gmail-readability-page-1" class="gmail-page"><div><p><img width="473" height="266" src="https://orinocotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cuba-May-1-1024x576.webp" alt="Cuban workers of the CTC, mass organizations, and visitors from 75 countries march to the Plaza of the Revolution in Havana to celebrate International Workers\u2019 Day 2025. File photo." class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img" style="margin-right: 0px;"></p>
<p><span></span></p><p>
<font size="1">Cuban workers of the CTC, mass organizations, and visitors from 75
countries march to the Plaza of the Revolution in Havana to celebrate
International Workers\u2019 Day 2025. File photo.</font></p>
<p></p></div><div id="gmail-content"><div><p>Washington
is continuing its permanent political interference campaign in Cuba,
through the resumption of funding of active projects financed by the
NED.</p><p>The U.S. government is lifting restrictions and restoring
funding to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and its foreign
interference projects globally, following a temporary hold on funds
announced in January. According to a <a href="https://www.ned.org/ned-welcomes-state-departments-initial-steps-towards-restoring-funding/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement on its website</a>,
the NED regained access to congressionally appropriated funds that had
been unavailable since late January, allowing the agency to fully
continue its mission to undermine, coerce, and work towards the
overthrow of foreign governments around the world.</p><p>According to
its website, the NED approved funding for 46 projects in Cuba\u2014amounting
to $6.6 million approved in 2024\u2014the highest total for any country in
Latin America and the Caribbean. Venezuela, Mexico and Nicaragua follow
as the countries with the most spending by the NED\u2019s operations, though
it should be noted that the spending in Nicaragua and Cuba is
significant, especially considering their smaller populations and
economies.</p><p>Though $6.6 million was approved in 2024, the NED
states that it \u201cadministers grants through multiple award mechanisms and
timelines crossing over fiscal years\u201d, thus other operations related to
Cuba which had been approved in previous years, may still be active
today.</p><p>The NED describes Cuba as \u201ca long-standing NED priority\u201d in a recently-posted overview of its operations in Latin America:</p><p><em>NED\u2019s
strategy focuses on liberalizing Cuba\u2019s closed political system by
strengthening the capacity of democracy advocates and expanding civic
space as an alternative to totalitarian rule. Key objectives include
enhancing access to independent, pluralistic information to foster a
more well-informed, critically minded citizenry; supporting freedom
advocates to protect victims of repression and demand accountability;
and fostering solidarity and engagement with Cuban pro-democracy
activists in Latin America to build regional and international momentum
for Cuban democracy and human rights.</em></p><p>A separate NED
publication lists 46 projects approved by NED in fiscal year 2024 with
active grant agreements as of January 15, 2025. The list, as provided on
the organization\u2019s website, follows. Numbers inside the circles denote
the length of the grant in months.</p><p>Supporting Human Rights Defenders Facing Repression \u246b<br>
$ 100,000<br>
To strengthen resilience among those activists, political prisoners and their families facing repression,<br>
the organization will distribute humanitarian assistance in partnership with local groups while<br>
providing human rights defenders with tools to document country conditions and convey information<br>
to external organizations and international actors.</p><p>Promoting Social Cohesion and an Active Citizenry \u2472<br>
$ 159,364<br>
To promote citizenship, social cohesion, and community engagement while providing independent<br>
information about local and international issues, the project will support a group that collects and<br>
documents community concerns to present before local authorities while producing a newsletter that<br>
raises awareness of these challenges and connects citizens with its accountability initiatives.</p><p>Documenting and Reporting Human Rights Violations \u246b<br>
$ 247,760<br>
To counter human rights violations, the organization will document and report violations to regional<br>
and international bodies, analyze data to identify patterns, provide legal assistance to victims,<br>
conduct international advocacy, train activists on human rights mechanisms and self-protection, and<br>
support a coalition of organizations to raise awareness of human rights violations against women.</p><p>Raising Awareness of Human Rights Violations in Prisons \u246b<br>
$ 101,000<br>
To raise international awareness of human rights violations in prisons, the organization will<br>
investigate, monitor, and document prison conditions, compare prison conditions against international<br>
standards, disseminate findings through monthly articles and report violations to relevant human<br>
rights bodies.</p><p>Raising Awareness of Threats to Journalists and Freedom of Expression \u246b<br>
$ 175,900<br>
To raise awareness among the international community about violations to freedom of expression,<br>
the organization will track threats against journalists for international advocacy purposes while<br>
training them to document violations, strengthening support mechanisms, and convening regional<br>
media groups to discuss shared threats and promote collaboration among journalists from across the<br>
region.</p><p>Strengthening Independent Entrepreneurship Communities \u246b<br>
$ 82,037<br>
To strengthen independent entrepreneurship communities in authoritarian contexts, the organization<br>
will train small independent businesses association leaders on empowerment, leadership, and civic<br>
campaign preparation; facilitate exchanges with union leaders from similar authoritarian contexts;<br>
and open civic and entrepreneurship centers to provide services for self-employed workers and serve<br>
as a hub for recruitment and organizing.</p><p>Promoting Freedom of Expression \u246f<br>
$ 230,000<br>
To promote freedom of information by producing and sharing independent content through a digital<br>
media outlet, the organization will publish articles, opinion pieces, podcasts, and videos analyzing<br>
key developments in the country while advocating for expanded civic space and proposing peaceful<br>
solutions to the country\u2019s ongoing crises.</p><p>Supporting Community Hubs for Civic Participation and Entrepreneurship \u246b<br>
$ 139,464<br>
To strengthen a network of five community centers as hubs for civic engagement and public debate,<br>
the organization will facilitate dialogues and forums with civil society experts and community<br>
members on key public issues, and offer entrepreneurship classes, mentoring, and networking<br>
opportunities to support economic and social resilience.</p><p>Raising Regional Awareness of Cuba \u246b<br>
$ 126,990<br>
To promote greater dialogue among Latin American thought leaders and democratic actors and raise<br>
regional awareness about the political, social, and economic situation in the country, the organization<br>
will publish independent research and analysis, present it at a regional conference, and provide a<br>
platform for pro-democracy actors to debate and educate their regional peers on contemporary<br>
issues facing the country.</p><p>Defending and Strengthening Freedom of Expression \u246b<br>
$ 175,000<br>
To strengthen the resiliency of recently exiled artists and raise international awareness of artistic<br>
repression on the island, the organization will provide fellowships, training, and mentoring to help<br>
artists continue their work, influence cultural discourse, and adapt to new environments, while<br>
conducting advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns in support of artistic freedom.<br>
denotes the length of the grant in months.</p><p>Promoting International Solidarity with Democracy Activists \u246b<br>
$ 100,000<br>
To promote international solidarity with pro-democracy activists and political prisoners, the<br>
organization will advocate for specific supportive interventions from the diplomatic community, carry<br>
out campaigns to raise awareness about the plights of political prisoners, provide support to political<br>
prisoners\u2019 families, and publish articles from prominent figures in regional media outlets.</p><p>Giving Voice to the Diaspora Community in Latin America to Advocate for Democracy \u3251<br>
$ 104,144<br>
To raise awareness of the regional democracy struggle while building diaspora networks, the<br>
organization will host convenings and workshops that mobilize community members to educate<br>
others about government authoritarianism while formalizing its organizing methodology to expand<br>
regionally and collaborate on transnational human rights campaigns.</p><p>Exposing Political Manipulation of Economic and Social Rights \u246c<br>
$ 224,084<br>
To monitor and raise awareness of social, economic, and cultural rights with a focus on food security<br>
and elderly rights, the organization will conduct research and produce analytical publications and<br>
audiovisual materials while submitting reports to international human rights bodies and fostering<br>
dialogue among experts, media, and activists to promote informed debate on its findings.</p><p>Exposing Authoritarian Influence in Latin American Academic Institutions \u246c<br>
$ 85,875<br>
To raise awareness among Latin American academics about the country\u2019s authoritarian influence<br>
strategies, the organization will monitor the regime\u2019s efforts to shape academic, intellectual, and civil<br>
society spaces; produce and disseminate findings through research publications, regional academic<br>
forums, and civil society collaborations; and support other initiatives through training and capacity-<br>
building efforts.</p><p>Raising Public Awareness of Digital Repression \u246b<br>
$ 75,000<br>
To raise awareness about threats to internet freedom and the abuse of human rights online, the<br>
organization will publish news articles analyzing the regime\u2019s digital authoritarian practices, leverage<br>
data, statistics, and visual storytelling to illustrate the negative effects, and develop investigative<br>
journalism and audiovisual content to engage deepen public understanding of these issues.</p><p>Strengthening Democratic Values \u246c<br>
$ 153,621<br>
To promote critical thinking, access to information, and independent writing, the organization will<br>
produce digital publications on cultural and artistic developments, expand its digital archive of local<br>
and regional history and art, and engage regional cultural and academic circles by hosting online<br>
discussions and fostering collaborations with peer organizations and universities.</p><p>Promoting Access to Independent Legal Analysis and Assistance \u246b<br>
$ 163,675<br>
To promote access to information and independent analysis on legal issues, the organization will<br>
provide coverage and analysis of key events, utilize creative content such as videos, podcasts,<br>
illustrations, and comics, maintain a platform to educate the public on legal issues, and provide legal<br>
consultations.</p><p>Raising International Awareness of Human Rights Violations \u246b<br>
$ 203,000<br>
To raise international awareness of the human rights situation, the organization will collect data and<br>
analyze trends regarding violations while drafting evidence-based reports for international advocacy<br>
to hold the government accountable and improve conditions on the island, alongside supporting<br>
community projects that promote civic values.</p><p>Promoting Access to Public Information and Freedom of Expression \u246b<br>
$ 84,966<br>
To promote the right to access public information and freedom of expression and expose violations to<br>
these rights, the organization and its country partners will produce regional reports analyzing<br>
transparency and freedom of expression performance while presenting findings to activists, experts,<br>
and human rights officials and collaborating with independent media on public awareness campaigns<br>
that highlight how these rights impact daily life.</p><p>Promoting Democratization Through Dialogue \u246b<br>
$ 108,300<br>
To foster evidence-based dialogue within civil society on challenges to democratization, the<br>
organization will conduct research, develop proposals to address key democratic challenges, engage<br>
scholars and civil society actors for feedback, and disseminate its findings through meetings with<br>
international stakeholders, online discussions, and public launch events.</p><p>Promoting Civic Education Through Independent Cultural Expression \u246b<br>
$ 57,861<br>
To promote democratic values, independent thought, and cultural expression free from government<br>
censorship, the organization will strengthen citizen leadership through civic education initiatives and<br>
workshops on rights and leadership while publishing books, producing a podcast on democratic<br>
principles, and enabling artists and creative professionals in their network to share work that fosters<br>
dialogue on civic engagement and action.</p><p>Monitoring the Economy and Informing Civic Debate \u3254<br>
$ 176,400<br>
To raise awareness and inform civic debate on the island\u2019s economic situation, the organization will<br>
establish an observatory on the government\u2019s economy to analyze trends and propose political and<br>
economic alternatives to the crisis while presenting research at academic conferences, sharing<br>
analysis with the public, and facilitating courses for students, activists, and researchers.<br>
denotes the length of the grant in months.</p><p>Empowering Citizens Through Community Journalism \u246b<br>
$ 176,741<br>
To promote greater access to uncensored information in local communities, the organization will<br>
provide six independent micro-press agencies with equipment and technical assistance to produce<br>
and distribute news bulletins for community residents.</p><p>Fostering Independent Thought and Protecting Cultural Rights \u246b<br>
$ 185,550<br>
To promote greater freedom of expression and independent writing, the organization will distribute<br>
books on censored topics, publish a digital magazine on socio-cultural issues, encourage<br>
independent writing through submissions and online events, and monitor and defend the rights of<br>
politically persecuted or imprisoned artists.</p><p>Strengthening Access to Information \u3254<br>
$ 80,000<br>
To enhance access to information and promote critical thinking, the organization will produce daily<br>
reporting and analysis across various formats, providing independent perspectives on issues<br>
affecting citizens\u2019 daily lives, including freedom of expression, public safety, human rights, and other<br>
pressing social concerns.</p><p>Fostering Exchange, Support, and Collaboration to Strengthen Media \u246b<br>
$ 125,000<br>
To connect independent media outlets with their peers in the region and position them as key voices<br>
in the Spanish-speaking media landscape, the organization will facilitate conferences, discussions,<br>
and collaborative spaces, provide tailored support to strengthen publications, foster cross-border<br>
partnerships, and host a gathering of media directors to showcase projects and address regional<br>
issues.</p><p>Raising Awareness of Undemocratic Political Processes \u246b<br>
$ 96,700<br>
To raise awareness of the undemocratic nature of the regime and its impact on democracy in the<br>
region, the organization will produce research materials on the government\u2019s authoritarian practices,<br>
present them at regional forums for civil society and academia, and empower civil society groups<br>
seeking to raise awareness of the undemocratic role of the legislature.</p><p>Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Religion and Belief \u3254<br>
$ 135,893<br>
To strengthen the capacity of human rights defenders to document and raise awareness of religious<br>
freedom violations, the organization will train religious freedom activists and support a network of<br>
defenders who document cases while utilizing this evidence to conduct advocacy within international<br>
legal and human rights bodies and raise awareness of threats to freedom of religion and belief.</p><p>Promoting Greater Access to Information for Pro-Democracy Activists \u2465<br>
$ 325,000<br>
To promote greater access to credible information and facilitate communication among activists<br>
inside and outside the island, the organization will produce and broadcast independent news via its<br>
radio station and support civic activities carried out by civil society activists.<br>
denotes the length of the grant in months.</p><p>Spurring Debate and Awareness on the Rise of Oligarchic Actors \u2473<br>
$ 250,000<br>
To raise awareness on the oligarchic nature of the regime and promote consensus building among<br>
civil society on democracy strategies, the organization will conduct research and publish reports on<br>
the regime\u2019s oligarchic evolution and its impact on citizens; disseminate findings through media and<br>
public events; and work with various civil society actors to consolidate a pro-democracy agenda<br>
based on common objectives and values.</p><p>Expanding Access to Uncensored Media \u2469<br>
$ 115,000<br>
To promote independent information, the organization will provide narrative journalism on censored<br>
topics, conduct investigations, and produce in-depth articles, photo essays, and opinion pieces while<br>
strengthening the media\u2019s operational capacity.</p><p>Promoting Freedom of Expression \u2469<br>
$ 78,130<br>
To promote freedom of expression and association and raise regional awareness of related threats,<br>
the organization will support independent advocacy initiatives and help disseminate their work to the<br>
broader public while connecting exiled artists with regional counterparts and academics to highlight<br>
obstacles to freedom of expression.</p><p>Supporting Freedom of Expression \u2467<br>
$ 110,000<br>
To strengthen artists\u2019 ability to collaborate and advocate for those facing repression, the organization<br>
will support independent artists through training, digital tools, and mentoring while engaging in a<br>
transnational network that promotes freedom of expression and connects artists with regional peers<br>
to foster cross-border solidarity in defense of human rights.</p><p>Strengthening Independent Labor and Promoting Freedom of Association \u2467<br>
$ 230,000<br>
To enhance global awareness and solidarity with independent labor organizations and strengthen the<br>
capacity of independent labor activists and self-employed workers, the organization will gather data<br>
and submit reports on labor rights violations to international institutions, and provide technical<br>
assistance to unions to strengthen their documentation and advocacy efforts.</p><p>Providing an Independent Platform for Cultural Creators \u2469<br>
$ 68,990<br>
To strengthen the role of independent cultural creators as promoters of freedom of expression and<br>
information, the organization will publish materials from independent writers, artists, and thinkers to<br>
preserve historical memory, combat censorship, and stimulate cultural and political discussions;<br>
sponsor a visual art initiative focused on civic activism and contests for literary works and films.<br>
denotes the length of the grant in months.</p><p>Advocating for Human Rights \u246b<br>
$ 155,000<br>
To tackle impunity for human rights violations and strengthen citizens\u2019 capacity to resolve conflicts<br>
peacefully, the organization will support partners to document violations, enhance an observatory for<br>
social conflict cases, collaborate with community activists, and publish a weekly newsletter, special<br>
reports, and audiovisual materials to raise awareness.</p><p>Supporting Independent Media \u246b<br>
$ 184,000<br>
To provide coverage of cultural and artistic issues and raise awareness about violence against<br>
women, the organization will support independent journalists and writers to publish in two online<br>
magazines, and manage an observatory to monitor and report on violence against women and<br>
related issues.</p><p>Promoting Debate and Reflection for a Democratic Opening \u3254<br>
$ 130,000<br>
To strengthen a network of independent thinkers working to advance a democratic opening in an<br>
authoritarian regime, the organization will publish studies and analysis on the country\u2019s economic,<br>
social, and political situation, and collaborate with civil society organizations and experts on public<br>
events, campaigns, and academic panels.</p><p>Strengthening Advocacy for Free Expression and Rights \u3254<br>
$ 74,950<br>
To promote human rights and document government practices affecting politically repressed<br>
communities, the organization will publish reports, raise public and international awareness, and<br>
conduct workshops and discussions with the artistic community on human rights and economic<br>
prosperity.</p><p>Core Institute<br>
Center for International Private Enterprise<br>
Empowering Entrepreneurs to Advance Democracy, Human Rights, and Prosperity \u246c<br>
$ 439,199<br>
To strengthen emergent associations and provide reliable information about the economy to national<br>
and international actors, the Center will support efforts of local nascent civil society organizations and<br>
provide reliable independent information about the Cuban economy.</p><p>National Democratic Institute for International Affairs<br>
Promoting Data-Driven Advocacy for Democratic Reform \u246b<br>
$ 500,000<br>
To strengthen the advocacy capacity of civil society organizations, activists, and relevant actors on<br>
the island and in exile, the Institute will support a polling firm to conduct large-scale research panels,<br>
foster strategic alliances in academia and journalism, train civil society organizations and activists to<br>
analyze survey results, and develop strategic advocacy efforts to enhance their visibility and<br>
legitimacy in advancing pro-democracy reforms.</p><p>Despite that this partial and vague information has been made available on the NED\u2019s website in recent weeks, the NED has <a href="https://www.ned.org/2024-grant-listings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a policy</a> of not publicly disclosing the list of organizations, propaganda outlets, and opposition groups it is funding.</p><p>The government of Cuba has on many occasions denounced U.S. interference in Cuba through entities such as USAID and NED.</p><p>Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has <a href="https://www.plenglish.com/news/2024/08/27/cuba-criticizes-us-funded-subversive-actions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>
that Cuba is well aware of the destabilizing activities by the U.S.
National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and its interference in the
internal affairs of other countries. Rodríguez noted that since 2017,
the NED has financed 54 anti-Cuba organizations, while some people <a href="https://www.telesurtv.net/cuba-denuncia-hipocresia-ante-alarma-del-gobierno-de-ee-uu-por-fondos-corruptos-de-la-ned/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have enriched themselves</a> by organizing destabilization and terrorism against Cuba.</p><p>Cuba has <a href="https://kawsachun.com/cuba-doubles-down-against-usaid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">repeatedly denounced the use of USAID</a> and
other organizations presented as humanitarian or in defense of
democracy, as fronts to penetrate and undermine societies, impose
colonial values and customs, as well as manipulate or outright control
local elites and the press, with the aim of strengthening U.S.
hegemony.</p><p>In February, <a href="https://cubaminrex.cu/es/discurso-del-ministro-de-relaciones-exteriores-de-cuba-bruno-rodriguez-parrilla-en-el-segmento-de-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cuba took to the UN Human Rights Council </a><a href="https://x.com/CubaMINREX/status/1894424621530669161">to denounce</a> U.S. operations:</p><p><em>Recently,
copious evidence has been released about the practice of the United
States government of dedicating millionaire funds from the federal
budget, through entities such as USAID and the NED, to finance
organizations, press media, artificial intelligence laboratories, and
communication platforms that use the protection of human rights and the
promotion of democracy as a facade, while responding to the political
objectives of that government. This is a serious and relevant issue for
this Council and its mandate, as it demonstrates the double standards
and opportunism with which the issue of human rights has been used to
subvert sovereign governments.</em></p><p>The NED reports
funding $40,951,769 in operations in Latin America and the Caribbean,
spread across 262 projects. In addition to the $6.6 million targeting
Cuba\u2019s Revolution and government, another $9.3 million is listed as
\u2018Latin America and Caribbean Regional\u2019, that is, destined for not one
specific country but rather the region in general.</p><p>An incalculable
amount of financial resources has also been dedicated to the creation
and dissemination of propaganda and disinformation worldwide, about
Cuba\u2019s medical cooperation programs. Outrageously false claims by
Secretary of State Marco Rubio were met with a <a href="https://x.com/KawsachunNews/status/1900254470216257766" target="_blank" rel="noopener">major backlash</a> from a <a href="https://x.com/KawsachunNews/status/1901001550249730182" target="_blank" rel="noopener">long list</a> of <a href="https://x.com/KawsachunNews/status/1901740767942443377" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caribbean</a> and Latin American countries <a href="https://x.com/KawsachunNews/status/1901352490387279984" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in response</a>.</p><p>The
United States continues to maintain a genocidal economic, commercial
and financial blockade on Cuba which has been rejected 32 times by the
UN General Assembly, most recently in October 2024 when 187 member
states called for its definitive end, with only the United States and
Israel voting against. The Trump administration returned Cuba back to
the <a href="https://kawsachun.com/trump-reverses-bidens-reversal-cuba-back-on-us-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-list/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">U.S. State Sponsor Of Terrorism list</a> in January and continues to <a href="https://kawsachun.com/50000-cubans-protest-illegal-u-s-occupation-of-guantanamo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">illegally occupy</a> Cuban territory in Guantanamo with the U.S. naval base.</p><p>(<a href="https://kawsachun.com/ned-targets-cuba-with-6-6-million-in-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kawsachun News</a>) by Camila Escalante</p><div><p><br></p><div><p></p><p>Camila Escalante is a TV news producer and presenter at teleSUR English. She also works with Kawsachun News (Bolivia)</p></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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