Sin Fronteras: Cuba: A Humanitarian Crisis?

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12

PROGRAM #11049  12:00 PM PT 

Sin Fronteras. This is a program of “Sin Fronteras,” a special series that serves audiences in the US and Mexico with breaking news and analysis on major developments affecting Latinos in the US.

Guests: Jose Lopez Zamorano, Correspondent, Washington, DC; Mariana Pineda, Reporter, Houston, TX.

Cuba: A Humanitarian Crisis? 

As Trump maintains a naval presence in the Caribbean and threatens trade penalties against countries that supply fuel to Cuba, the United Nations warns that the island is on the brink of a humanitarian collapse due to shortages of food, medicine, and electricity caused by the oil embargo. Mexico says it will continue sending food and material aid to Cuba on humanitarian grounds. How are Cubans experiencing this new blockade? What are Washington’s plans for the island? How is the international community responding? First program in a series.

Guest: Alejandro de la Fuente, Professor of Economics, Latin American History and African and Afro-American Studies, and Founding Director, Afro-Latin American Research Institute, Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, Harvard University, Boston, MA.

DHS on the Brink. A last-minute budget deal between Democrats and Republicans includes a temporary measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security, but only through the end of this week. Meanwhile, negotiations are moving against the clock to change the enforcement of federal immigration laws following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Facing Republican resistance, Democrats are demanding reforms, including a ban on agents wearing masks and other restrictions on their operations.

Guest: Jessica Inez Martinez, Immigration Attorney, Director of Policy and Coalition Building, New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, Santa Fe, NM.

New Mexico: Universal Child Care. New Mexico is becoming the first state in the nation to offer universal child care. The free-of-charge service will be available to every family in the state regardless of income. Governor Michelle Luján Grisham announced that more than 10,000 children are already enrolled in state-funded programs and called for a permanent increase in the budget. What are the costs of this initiative? How will this major investment be funded? What does it mean for access to child care? What obstacles stand in the way?

Guest: Merline Gallegos, Director, Kelly’s Learning Academy, Las Cruces, NM.

A History Some Want to Hide. For academics, historians, and activists, the past year has been turbulent in the fight to protect the teaching of African American history in the United States. During his second term, Donald Trump has claimed that some lessons seek to “indoctrinate” people against the country, and his administration has dismantled Black history programs in national parks. On the centennial of Black History Month, advocates warn of an unprecedented chilling effect. What is at stake for historical memory? How are communities responding? What future awaits this education?

Guest: Dr. Bárbara Abadía-Rexach, Associate Professor, Latina/o Studies Department, College of Ethnic Studies, San Francisco State University-SFSU, Author: “AFROfeminista. Raza y mujer en Puerto Rico” and “Musicalizando la raza. La racialización en Puerto Rico a través de la música”, San Francisco, CA, today from Río Piedras, Puerto Rico.

Photo: Mariela/Adobe Stock

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