May 15, 2026 — Belly of the Beast
For decades, politicians in Washington and Miami have claimed to speak for the Cuban-American community, creating a narrative to justify a policy of regime change through economic starvation.
But a growing movement of Cuban Americans is pushing back.
In the latest installment of our series U.S. Voices Against the Blockade, we meet Justine Medina, a Cuban American who grew up in Florida, the epicenter of anti-Cuba rhetoric.
Justin Medina is a barista and Cuban-American activist opposed to the embargo imposed by the U.S. government on Cuba, the island she considers her other homeland.
After multiple visits to Cuba, she says conditions have worsened: food shortages, scarcity of medicine and constant blackouts that make daily life harder.
According to Justine, this war, which has lasted 66 years and has intensified over time, only causes more suffering for the people. “I grew up hearing criticism of the Cuban government,” says Justine, who was raised in Florida. “But I also learned that the embargo should end.”
U.S. Voices Against the Blockade is a new series featuring Americans who oppose U.S. sanctions on Cuba. Watch Episode 3 to hear from Cuban-American activist Justine Medina and stay tuned to meet other U.S. activists who oppose the embargo.
Watch our video with Justine HERE.
