USAID provides basic needs assistance to political prisoners, their families, and politically marginalized individuals in Cuba to alleviate the hardships they endure due to their political beliefs or efforts to exercise their fundamental freedoms. Since the program’s inception, USAID has provided nutritional food items, vitamins, over-the-counter medicines, and toiletries to thousands of Cuban families. This ongoing support serves as a crucial lifeline, helping to improve both the physical and psychological well-being of individuals facing significant hardships due to their political activities.

In addition to basic needs assistance, USAID supports broad-based development in Cuba through technical and material assistance aimed at organizing, training, and energizing small groups of people within their communities. These efforts empower Cuban citizens to work together in an independent manner, reducing their reliance on state-controlled structures and enhancing their capacity for self-sufficiency.

USAID also provides training on documenting human rights abuses in accordance with international standards, enabling organizations to effectively raise awareness of violations both within Cuba and on the global stage.

USAID has been instrumental in providing basic news and information about issues relevant to Cubans from inside Cuba and around the world. The Agency has provided access to books, magazines, newspapers, and pamphlets to broad segments of the population. Over the last decade, USAID has also supported the training of hundreds of journalists, whose work has appeared in major international news outlets.

USAID’s programs are guided by the principles enshrined in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and Inter-American Democratic Charter, including the freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.

USAID’s FY2023 budget for programs in Cuba was $6.87 million.