Noche Tropical Presents Tropicana 2020

Benefiting Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba

The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC) hosted the eighth annual Noche Tropical fundraising gala and auction. The theme this year was “Tropicana 2020,” both an homage to when Cuba was free and a glimpse to when Cuba will be free again…

The program began with a invocation by Irma Mas, and brief remarks by FHRC’s Executive Director Pedro Rodriguez, Event Chairman Tony Costa, and Chairman Emeritus Don Jerónimo Esteve-Abril. Then Connect Cuba spokesperson and star of the upcoming Hollywood film MAX STEEL, Ana Villafañe, gave guests a glimpse into the next phase of the campaign to empower Cuban civil society with open, uncensored access to the Internet. There was also a proclamation given to the Foundation by the Mayor and council members of the City of Doral.

It was then time for a powerful video presentation of Cuba’s bittersweet history as well as some strong images of Cuban activists current struggle for freedom and democracy. Sakharov Prize winning Cuban human rights activist, Guillermo Fariñas followed at the podium and gave a moving keynote address, inspiring everyone in the room to continue supporting the valiant effort by the brave men and women struggling nonviolently to bring about positive change on the Island.

The speech was followed by a live auction, after party, and car raffle drawing, all of which benefits the FHRC’s mission of empowering Cuba’s civil society to build a durable democracy in Cuba with zero tolerance for human rights violations as well as humanitarian and educational programs such as The Ladies in White’s “Extendiendo Nuestras Manos” and the Somos Un Solo Pueblo (SUSP) scholarships.

The evening’s sponsors included: Sazón Goya, Don Jeronimo Esteve, Ryder, Bacardi, Ambar Motors, Simply Healthcare, WoW Factor, Florida Crystals, Florikan, LuxCom, GT Greenberg Traurig, Miami Marlins, Alzarez Arrietta & Diaz-Silvera, Akerman, JAG Companies, Coastal Wine & Spirits, Original Impressions, MasTec, Costa Farms, Leon Cosgrove, AFLAC, Altis Cardinal, Adrian Homes, Trane, Munilla Family Foundation, ACURA, Acosta Farms, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Omega Farms, MBAF, Mahou, Dra. Maribel Santa Cruz, and Express Travel.