Cuban Americans for Engagement is a non-profit organization of Cuban Americans and American citizens from throughout the United States that since its inception in 2012, has been attempting to facilitate a new relationship between the U.S. and Cuba based on principles of exchange, engagement, normalization of relations and diplomacy. The Cuban American community is not monolithic in either opinion or action. This community contains a diversity of positions, including those who call for a different policy between the U.S. and Cuba and the Cuban government with its diaspora. This diversity of opinion should be represented accordingly in the public sphere. CAFE exists in order to educate the public and stakeholders about this diversity of opinions and to bring about positive change in U.S.-Cuba relations.

CAFE is an organization that looks to foment a positive change in bilateral relations based on the following premises:

• The Cuban American community is not monolithic in either opinions or actions. A plurality of positions exist, including those who advocate for engagement between both governments and the Cuban government with its diaspora through exchange and dialogue. This diversity of opinion needs to be better presented in the public sphere.
• The policies recently enacted that allow Cuban Americans unlimited travel to the island, relax restrictions on remittances sent to Cuba, and grant licenses for “person-to-person” programs for the general public under U.S. jurisdiction are positive steps toward reuniting families, fostering understanding, and reaching solutions. However, the freedom to travel is a human right that all should enjoy without government interference.

The interests of the people and government of the U.S. as well as the people of Cuba would be better served with a U.S. policy toward Cuba based upon pragmatic exchange, including; more cultural, academic, and educational encounters between the citizens and academic and cultural institutions of both nations, normalization of diplomatic relations, an end to the economic embargo imposed by the United States.