Bridging Cuba’s Communication Divide: Empowering Cubans through Access to New Media & Technology

Cuba stands out as one of the most underdeveloped countries in the hemisphere in terms of information and communications technologies. Yet social media and new technologies have great potential for empowering the people of Cuba and bridging the communications gap with the United States and the rest of the world.

On July 15, the Cuba Study Group, in collaboration with the Latin America Initiative at Brookings and the Council of the Americas, released a unique and comprehensive set of policy recommendations aimed at reformulating U.S. approaches to facilitating communications on and with the island nation. The recommendations are the product of several months of intensive review, involving representatives from the business community and civil society, as well as information technology and telecommunications experts. Panelists discussed the report’s recommendations, as well as current U.S. telecommunications policies toward Cuba, and suggest policy revisions to enhance the Cuban people’s access to information, technology and communications tools.