Lawmaker Calls for Hard Line on Cuba Amid Economic Crisis; Havana Startup Cultivates Hope
A recent "Save Cuba" conference in Miami-Dade County, Florida, saw calls for stricter measures against the Cuban regime, coinciding with reports of a unique startup in Havana addressing food insecurity. The conference focused on Cuba's economic crisis, while the startup, Enparalelo, cultivates microgreens and dreams of a more sustainable future for local communities.
Calls for Action at "Save Cuba" Conference
Members of Congress and dignitaries gathered at the Cuban Democratic Directorate’s “Save Cuba” conference at the Big Five Club to discuss the deteriorating conditions on the island. Rep. Carlos Giménez, R-Florida, advocated for a hard-line approach, demanding an immediate halt to all travel to Cuba and a cutoff of financial flows he believes sustain the regime. “I want all travel to Cuba to stop today,” Giménez stated, emphasizing the need to damage the regime economically. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, R-Florida, echoed these concerns, highlighting the regime's struggles and its threat to U.S. national security. Dignitaries from Sweden, Taiwan, and Ukraine also attended, underscoring international concern.
Cuba's Economic Struggles
Díaz-Balart pointed to the repeated power grid failures as evidence of the regime's inability to provide basic necessities. “It has no proper support within the island. It can’t provide any basic necessities to people in the island, which is why you’re seeing these blackouts, these electrical blackouts,” he said.
Enparalelo: A Microgreen Startup in Havana
Amidst the economic hardship, a startup in Havana named Enparalelo (Parallel Roads) is working to combat hunger. Founded by architect Oliesky Fabre, the startup cultivates microgreens in shipping containers and supplies them to upscale restaurants. The project received a 2022 UN World Food Programme award for its innovative solutions to hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean. “We are a business, but also the motor for a local development project,” Fabre said.
Community-Based Approach
Enparalelo also has a community-focused aspect. Jorge Pena, who is in charge of the community side of the business, said that they are teaching residents how to grow their own microgreens. The startup supplies seeds and coco fiber mesh to home-based urban growers, who can then sell their microgreens back to the company, to neighbors, or keep some for their own consumption. "We will inspire a new generation of producers," Pena said.
Looking Ahead
While the "Save Cuba" conference seeks solutions to the island's economic crisis through external pressure, initiatives like Enparalelo demonstrate grassroots efforts to address food security and empower local communities from within.
