60 Years of Cuban Terror

On January 13, leading experts dissected Havana’s web of terror in a special event at the Victims of Communism Museum. Co-hosted by the Center for a Free Cuba and the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, the discussion explored the legacy of communist Cuba’s Tricontinental Conference, when dozens of representatives from countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America gathered in Havana to coordinate a global “anti-imperialist struggle.” The resulting 60 Years of Cuban-led violence left a trail of fear and death in its wake.

Since the Tricontinental Conference, the world has largely forgotten Communist Cuba’s role in coordinating terror across the globe. However, we were reminded of Cuba’s transnational shadow when 32 Cuban fighters were killed by U.S. forces following the extraction of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.

Watch the full conversation below, including insight from Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Rosa María Payá, Commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, to explore the past 60 years of Cuban terror.

Agenda

9:00 am
Welcome
Dr. Eric Patterson, President and CEO, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation
Manuel Iglesias, President, Center for a Free Cuba

9:15 am–10:45 am
Panel 1 – The Tricontinental Conference in Havana: The Internationalization of Terror
Mike González, The Angeles T. Arredondo E Pluribus Unum Senior Fellow, The Heritage Foundation
John Suarez, Executive Director, Center for a Free Cuba
Maibort Petit, Political scientist and journalist specializing in transnational organized crime
Moderator: Ana Harmata, Latin America Program Officer, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

Keynote Speaker: Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz

11:00 am–12:30 pm
Panel 2 – Cuba and Its Impact on Global Terrorism: ETA, USA, and the Colombian Guerrillas
Joe Connor, Son of Frank Connor, brutally murdered in the Fraunces Tavern attack in New York
Maite Araluce, President, Association of Victims of Terrorism
Matías Jove, Executive Director, Spanish Association Cuba in Transition
Francisco Santos Calderón, Former Vice President of Colombia
Moderator: Vanessa Vallejo, Economist and Washington, D.C. Correspondent, Voz Media

Keynote Speaker: Rosa María Payá, Commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

12:45 pm-1:10 pm
Closing Remarks
Jorge Martín Frías, Member of the European Parliament, Spain
María Fernanda Cabal, Member of the Senate, Republic of Colombia