On the weekend of June 8, the Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC) invited me to speak on a panel alongside professor and author Isaac Saney, author Keith Bolender, and discussant Elizabeth Hill. The panel was a part of the CNC’s 11th Biennial Convention.

We had the pleasure of meeting and listening to Leima Martínez, Director of ICAP North America, who shared the panel. There were many other speakers, including guests from the Cuban Embassy in Canada, the Cuban Consulate, the National Network on Cuba (NNOC) and other solidarity groups.

My presentation focused on “Cuba in a Troubled World: The Geopolitics.” I spoke of the world we face today, one of war and genocide. We also looked at the present day situation in Cuba. From this context, I spoke to other events unfolding. Some of these are the uprisings against neocolonialism in West Africa, the growth of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the BRICS and its expansion, amid the rising voices of the Global South. These situations signify a meaningful shift towards a fairer world of coexistence in the future.

My view is optimistic for both Cuba and the Global South.

The event was a tremendous success. In the audience were labour organizers, activists, and peace organizations, Cubans, Canadians, Palestinians, and Americans. The CNC’s event took place at the Steelworkers Hall in a lovely neighborhood in Toronto.

I’ve posted a few photos taken at the CNC 11th Biennial Convention.