On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, Davey D spoke with Caroline of Code Pink about her recent trip to Cuba as part of an international aid delegation that delivered medicine and other essential supplies. The conversation centered on what she witnessed in Cuba, the harsh treatment she faced upon returning to the United States, and what she sees as the larger political message behind that response.
Caroline described being detained and interrogated at the Miami airport after returning from Cuba. She said agents searched her belongings, questioned her in an intimidating setting, and pressed her about the purpose of the trip, the size of the delegation, her work as a nurse, her connection to Code Pink, and her personal views about Cuba. She made clear that the questioning did not feel routine. Instead, she said it felt political and designed to intimidate people involved in solidarity work.
When asked what she saw in Cuba, Caroline painted a deeply human picture. She said the Cuban people she met were doing their best to maintain normal life under increasingly difficult conditions. She spoke about worsening living conditions, shortages, blackouts, weak communication systems, and the painful gap between those who still had basic necessities and those forced to search for food in the trash. As a nurse, she stressed that Cuba has highly skilled medical professionals, but even the best doctors cannot function fully without access to basic one time use supplies like syringes, IV materials, and medicines.
A major part of the interview focused on the role of United States sanctions and blockades. Caroline said people in Cuba clearly understand that these policies are worsening daily life. She argued that the suffering she witnessed was not abstract, but immediate and visible. She also pushed back on media criticism that the delegation stayed in luxury hotels, explaining that United States travel restrictions limited where such a large group could legally stay.
Davey D connected Caroline’s experience to a longer history of politically motivated harassment aimed at travelers and activists. Together, they discussed how fear, criminalization, and media distortion are used to discourage dissent. Despite the ordeal, Caroline said she is not backing down. She urged listeners to educate themselves, support activist efforts, know their rights, and be careful about propaganda and bad faith narratives. The interview ultimately framed solidarity with Cuba as both a humanitarian issue and a test of political courage.
Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.