Activist Decries US Sanctions Harming Cubans

Paul Coates says American policies are 'criminal' and causing deaths on the island nation.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 5:11am

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Activist and publisher Paul Coates recently returned from a humanitarian trip to Cuba, where he says he witnessed firsthand the suffering inflicted on the Cuban people by U.S. sanctions. Coates described the situation as a 'criminal' policy by the U.S. government that is 'really destroying the people' and leading to deaths, including among infants and those with treatable infections.

Why it matters

Coates framed the issue of U.S. sanctions on Cuba as a matter of particular moral urgency for people of African descent, highlighting the historical ties and reciprocal support between Cuba and liberation movements within the African diaspora. He believes supporting Cuba has a ripple effect, positively impacting other nations facing similar pressures.

The details

Coates shared a conversation with an elder publisher in Cuba who said 'They're killing him. They're killing us in Cuba.' He drew parallels between U.S. actions in Cuba and conflicts elsewhere, noting that American-made bombs are used in Gaza and Iran. Coates urged people to travel to Cuba in solidarity, arguing that even tourism provides vital employment for the Cuban people and represents a form of resistance.

  • Coates recently returned from a humanitarian trip to Cuba.

The players

Paul Coates

An activist and publisher who recently returned from a humanitarian trip to Cuba.

The Real News Network

A non-profit news organization that hosted an event where Coates spoke about the impact of U.S. sanctions on Cuba.

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What they’re saying

“They're killing him. They're killing us in Cuba.”

— An elder publisher in Cuba

“I cried every day for the first five or six days after returning.”

— Paul Coates, Activist and publisher

“They're killing us in Cuba. They're killing us in Cuba.”

— An elder publisher in Cuba

The takeaway

Coates's framing of Cuba as a matter of particular moral urgency for people of African descent highlights the historical ties and reciprocal support between Cuba and liberation movements within the African diaspora. His call for solidarity through travel and tourism underscores the idea that supporting Cuba is not simply a foreign policy issue, but a debt owed for past assistance.