El Centro Serna Discussed Cuba-U.S. Relations
Experts led a dialogue regarding the historical and current state of Cuba-U.S. affairs during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Hispanic
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El Centro Serna hosted a session of its Café y Conversación series on September 23, 2026, at the Riverfront Center. The event examined the complex history of Cuba-U.S. relations through class materials and personal accounts from Havana residents.
Why it matters
Organizers sought to address rising student interest in regional geopolitics while celebrating Caribbean culture. The discussion provided an academic space to examine the intersection of long-standing economic restrictions and the current realities of life in Cuba.
Over one million people have emigrated from Cuba since 2020. This migration surge follows decades of economic restrictions that have persisted between the United States and Cuba since the 1960s.
The players
Amalia Perez-Martin
She is a sociology professor who specializes in regional social structures.
Ahmed Correa-Alvarez
He is an anthropology lecturer with a focus on Caribbean cultural studies.
El Centro Serna
This organization facilitates academic programming and cultural discussions.
The details
Sociology professor Amalia Perez-Martin and anthropology lecturer Ahmed Correa-Alvarez utilized audio recordings of Havana residents to illustrate local challenges, such as the persistent halt in trash collection. The forum allowed participants to analyze how the fallout from the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s continues to influence the island.
Timeline
Economic restrictions by the U.S. against Cuba began in the 1960s.
The Soviet Union fell during the early 1990s.
The Café y Conversación series launched in Spring 2023.
Over one million Cubans have departed the island since 2020.
The most recent discussion occurred on September 23, 2026.
Culture Shift
The discussion analyzed the collapse of the Soviet Union as a foundational shift for modern Cuban infrastructure and societal stability. By mapping these historical nodes, the session highlighted how shifting geopolitical alliances have reshaped the daily lived experience of residents.
This series offers students and the public a direct opportunity to engage with primary source audio recordings from Havana. The events provide a space to analyze how international policy directly affects the mobility and resources of populations in the Caribbean.
The takeaway
Understanding the history of economic policies provides necessary context for modern migration trends across the Caribbean. Participants are encouraged to look beyond headlines to evaluate the personal accounts of those navigating shifting political landscapes.
What happens next
The next installment of the Café y Conversación series is scheduled for October 21, 2026, from 3 to 4:30 PM.
Further reading
Learn more about regional academic programming on our Hispanic section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The State Hornet.
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