The Cuban American Bar Association recently made a significant impact in Washington, D.C., emphasizing its commitment to advocacy and justice. Twelve CABA members were formally admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States in a pivotal swearing-in ceremony.
After the ceremony, and in anticipation of Florida’s Victims of Communism Day, CABA president Giselle Gutierrez hosted a press conference at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation statue. The conference delved into a discussion about CABA’s pending petition before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on behalf of 52 political prisoners, including minors, who were arrested in connection with civil protests in Cuba on July 11, 2021. CABA continues its commitment to providing the IACHR with periodic analysis of current conditions affecting their clients.
As part of the broader retreat in Washington, CABA engaged in a series of strategic meetings with key individuals, including:
- Meetings with legislators and staff, including: Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and staff, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and staff, Rep. María Elvira Salazar’s staff, Sen. Marco Rubio’s staff, Sen. Rick Scott’s staff
- Lunch and Learn with Noel Francisco (47th Solicitor General of the United States) and Eliot Pedrosa from Jones Day
- Press conference at the Victims of Communism Monument in collaboration with Victims of Communism Foundation
- FIU D.C. gathering with speakers: Rep. Carlos A. Giménez, FIU CasaCuba Executive Director Lili Betancourt Space, and Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Carlos A. Costa Immigration Human Rights Clinic, Juan Carlos Gomez.
- Meeting with Christopher Hernandez-Roy of the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a representative from the National Endowment for Democracy
- Meeting with United States Ambassador Francisco O. Mora to the Organization of American States
- Meeting with Deputy Executive Secretary Jorge Meza Flores with the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights
- Meeting with State Department and Homeland Security staff
“This visit marked a pivotal milestone for CABA as it sought to establish a more prominent presence in the nation’s capital,” stated Gutierrez. “CABA is now better equipped to advance its mission and advocacy efforts. Looking ahead, the organization is committed to building upon the connections forged during this trip, signaling the initial stride toward a more significant presence in Washington.”
About the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA)
Founded in 1974, CABA is one of the largest bar associations in the state of Florida. Its membership is comprised of lawyers and law students from various backgrounds whose interests include not only those affecting the Cuban community, but human and legal rights issues impacting minority communities. CABA also founded CABA Pro Bono Legal Services and the CABA Foundation, both created based on the organization’s fundamental values to aid those in need through legal advocacy as well as offering scholarships to law students.
