CUBA AND AFRICAN LIBERATION - A Symposium Commemorating 50 Years of Operación Carlota
When and Where
Description
"The Cuban people hold a special place in the hearts of the people of Africa. The Cuban internationalists have made a contribution to African independence, freedom and justice unparalleled for its principled and selfless character.”
- Nelson Mandela
CUBA AND AFRICAN LIBERATION - A Symposium Commemorating 50 Years of Operación Carlota brings together scholars, veterans, activists, artists, and students to reflect on the historic significance and enduring relevance of Cuba’s solidarity with the African liberation struggle—particularly through Operación Carlota. The event explores themes of principled internationalism, anti-imperialist solidarity, and collective liberation. As contemporary forms of neocolonialism and imperialism continue to threaten African sovereignty, the legacy of Operación Carlota offers urgent lessons for today’s global struggles.
The symposium is organized & sponsored by: Black & African Diaspora Studies-Dalhousie University; Centre for Caribbean Studies-University of Toronto; Canadian Network On Cuba; Global African Congress; Caribbean Solidarity Network; National Network On Cuba (U.S).
Scheduled Panels include: *Southern Africa in the Crosshairs: Apartheid, Imperialism, and Liberation; *Cuban Medical Internationalism in Practice: The Battle for Humanity; *Africa, Cuba, and the Radical Imagination: Lessons for Today' *What Does Solidarity and Liberation Mean Today
Confirmed speakers include:
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Dr. Alex Carreras Pons (Director, Department for Bilateral Cooperation, Ministry of Public Health of Cuba)
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Leima Martinez (Director, North America Desk, Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples)
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Vladimir Gonzalez (Co-founder, YouTube channel Habana Negra)
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Cikiah Thomas (Chairperson, International Working Committee, Global Afrikan Congress)
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Ameth Lo (Author of Claim No Easy Victory: The Legacy of Amilcar Cabral
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Tamanisha John (Professor of Black Politics, York University and member of the Black Alliance for Peace and Caribbean Solidarity Network)
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Susan Hurlich (journalist and antroplogist, and participant in the southern African liberation struggles)
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Bernardo Garcia-Dominguez (Professor, Caribbean Studies and participant in the southern African liberation struggles)
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Kevin Edmonds (Professor, Community Engaged Learning and Caribbean Studies, University of Toronto and member of the Caribbean Solidarity Network)
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Isaac Saney (Black and African Diaspora Studies, Dalhousie University; author, Cuba, Africa and Apartheid's End Africa's Children Return!)
Commemorating the anniversary of Operación Carlota is not simply an act of historical recovery. Fifty years on, Operación Carlota reminds us that the fight for African independence remains as urgent as ever. In a time when the struggle for authentic African independence and sovereignty is again under threat—from neocolonial economic domination, foreign military interventions, and resource plunder—it serves as a reminder of the possibilities of principled internationalism, solidarity, and collective liberation.
Lunch will be provided.
For more information email: cubaafricanliberation@gmail.