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The United States Embassy in Cuba invited Cubans this Monday to share a message about freedom or about the historical relationship between Cuba and the United States, as part of the global campaign #Freedom250 aimed at the island in the context of the 250th anniversary of American independence.
"If you could send a message about '#Freedom250', that is, freedom, or about the historical relationship between Cuba and the USA, what would you say?" asked the diplomatic mission in its Facebook post.
The call for submissions accepts short videos of no more than 30 seconds, photos, or written messages, and interested participants can take part by leaving a comment on the embassy's post or sending their material to HavanaMedia@state.gov.
"It can be a phrase, a wish, or an idea… something that comes from your heart," the embassy noted in its appeal.
The diplomatic mission announced that on July 4, 2026, it will publish a selection of the messages received, the date on which the United States will celebrate its 250 years of independence.
#Freedom250 is a global initiative from the Department of State that is being implemented at embassies worldwide throughout 2026, covering topics such as democracy, culture, science, artificial intelligence, and space exploration.
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said on X about the holiday: "In 1776, a small group of patriots signed a document that challenged an empire and changed the world. Salute to America on July 4th in Washington, DC will honor that heritage with world-class music, entertainment, and a record-breaking fireworks display."
Additionally, the event website clarifies that the July 4th celebration will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States and the "enduring blessings of liberty," calling on citizens from across the country to honor national history, remember the sacrifices that secured independence, and express gratitude for the ideals that unite them as a nation.
The celebration will feature speakers, live entertainment, and patriotic performances, culminating in one of the largest fireworks displays in the country, designed as a tribute to the past, present, and future of the United States.
The site also specifies that only four tickets can be registered per mobile phone number and that tickets will be subject to availability, on a first-come, first-served basis.
In Cuba, the campaign has taken on a particular dimension of public diplomacy, with an explicit focus on the concept of freedom linked to the Cuban context and the bilateral history between the two countries.
During this month, the embassy also honored Cuban artists from the exile such as Celia Cruz, Willy Chirino, and Gloria Estefan as part of its cultural series "American Afternoons," also framed within #Freedom250.
Meanwhile, the diplomatic mission launched the grant program "Toward a Free and Prosperous Cuba", aimed at independent journalists, content creators, artists, religious organizations, independent educational institutions, and Cuban entrepreneurs.
This call specifically excludes individuals or organizations linked to the Cuban regime, and the selected projects must be completed within a maximum period of 12 months.
The embassy also highlighted the figure of José Martí as part of its public diplomacy strategy surrounding #Freedom250, connecting the ideals of the Cuban national hero with the values that the campaign aims to promote.
The deadline to apply for the grant program is August 15, 2026, and proposals must be sent to the email usembassyhavanagrants@state.gov with the title of the opportunity in the subject line.
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