Mission and Members

Mission

1. Bring about a peaceful, near-term end to the dictatorship;
2. Establish democratic institutions, respect for human rights, and the rule of law;
3. Create the core institutions of a free economy;
4. Modernize infrastructure; and
5. Meet basic needs in the areas of health, education, housing, and human services.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reconvened the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba on December 19, 2005, sending an important message to the people of Cuba, the current dictatorship, and our friends and democratic allies: after 46 years of cruel dictatorship, now is the time for change in Cuba.

The Commission was reconvened to identify additional measures to help Cubans hasten the day when they will be free from oppression and to develop a concise but flexible strategic plan that will help the Cuban people move rapidly toward free and fair democratic elections. The Commission was tasked with preparation of a second report to the President with both updated recommendations to hasten democracy, and an inter-agency strategic plan to assist a Cuban-led transition.

This plan is not an imposition but rather is a promise we will keep with the Cuban people to marshal our resources and expertise, and encourage our democratic allies to be ready to support Cuba when the inevitable opportunity for genuine change arises. The work of the Commission will ensure that the U.S. Government is fully prepared, if asked, to assist a genuine Cuban transition government committed to democracy and which will lead to Cuba's reintegration into the inter-American system.

The Commission continues to welcome information, views, and opinions from U.S. Government entities, interested individuals, foreign governments, international experts, and non-governmental organizations.

Members

Commission members include all Cabinet level agencies. The core agencies responsible for day-to-day operations of the Commission include, the Secretary of State (Chair); the Secretary of Commerce (Co-Chair); the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; the Secretary of the Treasury; the Secretary of Homeland Security; the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs; the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, or their designees. The core group agencies undertake the day-to-day work of the Commission. Any and all U.S. Government agencies can be called upon to provide support to the Commission's work through the authority granted it by National Security Presidential Directive 29 to create and task working groups.

The U.S. Government's Cuba Transition Coordinator, Caleb McCarry, oversees the day-to-day operations of the Commission.