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Teo A. Babun

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Teo A. Babun
Babun in January 2017
Born
Teofilo I Babun

1948
Cuba
NationalityCuban and American
CitizenshipAmerican
Alma materMichigan Technological University
OccupationNon-profit manager Philanthropist
Known forInventions

Humanitarian outreach Defending religious liberty

Expertise on Cuba's Infrastructure
AwardsOutstanding Young Alumni from Michigan Technological University 1981

Outstanding Community Service Award from the Florida Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Council to the governor 2022

Honorary Doctorate in Letters from Miami International Seminary 1991

Inducted into the Electrical and Computer Engineering Academy of MTU 2007

Alumni Outstanding Service "Brother Andres Award" from Immaculata-LaSalle

Keepers of the Flame of Human Rights Lifetime Achievement Award from Americas Chapter of Foundation for the Betterment of Life, Culture, and Society
WebsiteOutreach Aid to the Americas

Teo A. Babun is a Cuban-American businessman, evangelical philanthropist, and human rights (freedom of religion) advocate. He is the founder of BG Consultants and Cuba-Caribbean Development Co. and also the head of Outreach Aid to the Americas (OAA) and AmericasRelief.

Personal life

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Early life

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Babun's grandparents were born in Bethlehem. His father became a major financial supporter of the Cuban Revolution. Though born in Cuba, Babun has spent most of his childhood and life as a Cuban exile in the United States. Babun's father was tried in a 1960 Communist show trial, intended to confiscate all of his property and belongings. Before the verdict was read in his trial, he escaped to Miami with his wife. Cuban government later expelled the rest of the family to the United States when Babun was 11 years old.[1] They were deported on June 1, 1960, via the Ignacio Agramonte International Airport. Their family home became a residence for Raúl Castro, future president of Cuba after the retirement of Fidel Castro.[2] The Cuban Government confiscated the Babun family holdings and properties consisting of a cement plant, farms, maritime, lumber/timber, minerals and other interests after their escape.[3]

Education

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Babun lived in Florida until he attended university at Michigan Technological University (MTU),[2] graduating in 1972 with bachelor's degrees in electrical engineering and business engineering administration. In 2002 he received an Honorary Doctorate in Letters from Miami International Seminary (MTU). He also later received a PhD from non-accredited Vision International University.[4] In 2007 was inducted into the Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering Academy at MTU.[5]

2000 return visit to Cuba

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Babun returned to Cuba in October 2000, as an "official observant" to open-air Evangelical Celebrations instituted after the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1999. Following this visit Babun was asked by government officials not to return to Cuba, due to the reaction of the public to his evangelical work.[1]

Career

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Babun began his professional career manufacturing electrical components in Wisconsin and Connecticut. He founded General Electro-Components in 1980 to manufacture electrical relays and solenoids under the brand "Line Electric", serving as president and CEO.[4] In 1981 he developed the TO-5, then known as "The World's Smallest Solenoid." In 1987 he moved back to South Florida in order to work for his father's company, Bahamas Line shipping company.[2] In 1990 Babun founded the Cuba Investment Fund, in order to accumulate investment funds and strategies for when the United States lifts the economic embargo they have levied on the island.[6]

Babun is the founder and head of BG Consultants, located in Miami.[7] He is also the founder and managing partner of the Miami consulting firm Cuba-Caribbean Development Co, a division of his Babun Group Consulting[1] that advises companies on the potential of a future free market in Cuba.[8] In his role with the for-profit company he has advocated for a change in Cuban-US economic relations.[9] Babun's clients have included Baskin Robbins and Royal Caribbean Cruises.[10][11]

In 1992 he founded the Babun Shipping Corporation in Miami under his holding company T. Babun Co.[12] He was also the founder of Cuba Claims Registry Assistance LLP, a property registry for Cuban exiles to establish claims upon land and other property that was confiscated.[13]

Ministry, Activism, and Controversies

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Dr. Teo Babun visiting the community of Los Algodones in the Dominican Republic, which serves mostly Haitian refugee children through schools and clinics, a project supported by Babun's nonprofit.

Beginning in 1994 Babun decided to dedicate the rest of his life to humanitarian ministry in support of vulnerable persons in the region and the emerging church in Cuba.  He founded Outreach Aid to the Americas, Inc.  (OAA).  The organization responds to the needs of the vulnerable people in the Americas Region through relief and development programs.  OAA thru its faith-based initiative “EchoCuba” uses methodologies, tools, and training modules to help advance entrepreneurship, organizational skills, education, religious freedoms, and social services in Cuba.

In 2016 OAA expanded services to Central America, the Caribbean Islands, including Puerto Rico and Southern Mexico to send aid from the US to faith-based organizations and provide business development products to encourage small business creation. As the spokesperson for the organization, he has advocated for religious freedoms,[1][14][15] small business ownership as one of the keys to creating the conditions necessary for reducing poverty [16] in Central America, and for more effective disaster resiliency programs [17] to save lives in countries affected by hurricanes.

On February 12, 2019 he was accused of being a “public enemy and a mercenary” of Cuba by Granma,[18][19] Cuba's official publication of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. He was charged with trying to create discord among Evangelical Church Leaders in Cuba by “providing them with misleading information and enticing them to commit acts of disobedience with promises of humanitarian aid.” In interviews with Radio & Television Marti,[20] Babun defended his efforts to unify the Evangelical Church Leaders around a shared advocacy campaign to obtain greater Freedom of Religion and Belief language in a new constitution[21][22] scheduled for a referendum on February 24, 2019.[23]

In 2021, OAA expanded its international advocacy work on Freedom of Religion & Belief to include Nicaragua. It also built its local capacity of faith-based partners in the Central American Northern Triangle Countries of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala to participate in The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) efforts to help address the drivers of irregular migration to the United States.

In 2022, he advocated for religion freedom and belief for Nicaragua and Cuba at the Oslo Freedom Forum in Geneva where he led a panel discussion titled “America’s Wars: How to Defend Human Rights and Religion in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela”, and at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, where he also spoke at side events against the authoritarian governments of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. On October 1 of the same year, Babun received the Outstanding Community Service Award from The Florida Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Council, in an event that brought together Miami-Dade County elected officials and faith community leaders to better engage, communicate, and collaborate to help build Miami and its communities.

On June 25, 2024, Babun spearheaded an initiative in Washington, D.C., advocating for the establishment of a commission to develop transition plans for Cuba amidst its ongoing turmoil. The commission aims to draw from the lessons of post-Soviet Union transitions and discuss strategies to address these challenges. With over half a million Cubans immigrating to the U.S. between 2022 and 2023, American interests are closely connected to this issue. The roundtable was attended by more than 30 stakeholders in Cuban affairs and U.S. inter-agency representatives.

On September 24, 2024 Babun lead the formation of a trilateral partnership initiative between the United Nations’ UNITAR, Florida International University (FIU), and Outreach Aid to the Americas to establish an international training center aimed at fostering learning and the exchange of best practices across the western hemisphere, particularly in areas where OAA had extensive experience—disaster relief and sustainable development. The CIFAL-Miami Training Center, (which stands for “International Training Center for Authorities and Leaders”) will be located in FIU's main campus and is only the second in the U.S. and the 34th in the world. Its mission is to strengthen the capacities of public authorities, civil society leaders, and private sector actors across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. This Center will become a hub for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and training, addressing some of the most critical global challenges and empowering local entities to promote sustainable development in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Awards

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Dr. Teo Babun accepting the prestigious Keepers of the Flame of Human Rights Award in 2023

In 2023, Babun received the Alumni Outstanding Service "Brother Andres Award" from Immaculata-LaSalle High School in Miami, for his provision of food, medical supplies, and oxygen concentrators to Catholic Orders in Cuba during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On December 7, 2023, Babun was bestowed with the prestigious "Keepers of the Flame of Human Rights" Lifetime Achievement Award by the Americas Chapter of the Foundation for the Improvement of Life, Culture, and Society, sponsored by the renowned Church of Scientology. This award, which recognized of his exemplary advocacy for religious freedom, was presented in a grand ceremony that gathered faith community leaders, international human rights advocates, and defenders of freedom from around the world.

Campaigns

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In 2023, Babun led a campaign to create the Office of Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) Secretariat at the Organization of American States (OAS), arguing that FoRB matters were handled by the Secretariat on Human Rights, thus diluting the efforts and concentration needed to advocate specifically for religious freedom in Latin America. Support was pledged from the countries of Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Guatemala. The United States was scheduled to join the campaign in 2024.

Testimony

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On June 28, 2023, in testimony before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Babun gave testimony regarding the Cuban government’s repression of religious freedom and other related rights and also provided first-hand accounts of the repressive tactics used by the Cuban government to stifle independent religious communities. This was the commission's first hearing outside of Washington, D.C.

Publishing

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Babun in El Salvador 2016

Babun is the author of The Business Guide to Cuba,.[1] The Sun-Sentinel stated that for "foreign companies - and to U.S. entrepreneurs who want the lay of the land ahead of normalized relations - Babun's book provides precious detail for strategic planning".[2]

He also co-authored the book The Cuban Revolution: The Years of Promise with Victor Andres Triay in 2005, using photographs of the Cuban Revolution owned by Babun's father used as the primary focus of the book.[24][25][26] José Manuel García reviewed the book in the Arizona Journal of Hispanic Cultural Studies, calling the book "an exceptionally significant contribution to Cuban history through the power of photography".[24] Babun has also self-published the book Dealing with Your Personal Crisis, which presents Christian coping methods for personal traumas.[27] His recent prayer and reflection books also include Practicing His Presence: 8 Minutes of Daily Intimacy with God[28] and Buenos Dias Abba: Sabiduria y Reflexion Para Todos Los Dias.[29] His most recent publication is the book Faith and Freedom in Latin America, which details and exposes violations of religious freedom in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

Babun has been a contributor to newspapers including the Chicago Tribune,[30] the Washington Post,[31] The Miami Herald,[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] El Nuevo Herald,[43][44][45] The Washington Examiner,[46][47][48] The Sun Sentinel,[49] The Hill (newspaper),[50] and The Washinton Stand.[51]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Cuba Expert Series - Interview with Dr. Teo Babun". Havana Journal. December 20, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d David Beard (October 28, 1996). "Book: Be Ready To Pounce Pon Post-castro Cuba". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  3. ^ Oskar Garcia (May 10, 2007). "Scholars weigh claims over Cuban assets". USA Today. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Teo A. Babun, Class of 1972". Michigan Technological University. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  5. ^ "2007 ECE Academy". Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  6. ^ "Potential investors see opportunity for island in free-market economy". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. December 5, 1993. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  7. ^ "Cuba rejects U.S. storm assessment team offer". Miami Herald. September 11, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  8. ^ Charles Herman (August 3, 2006). "Cuba: Open for Business?". ABC News. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  9. ^ Doreen Hemlock (September 6, 1998). "EMBARGO GETTING A BIT WEAKER; FIRST MAJOR U.S.-CUBA MEETING THIS WEEK SEEKS TO BOOST TRADE". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 10, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  10. ^ Richard Lacayo (July 17, 1995). "Long-Distance Calling". Time Magazine. Archived from the original on April 29, 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  11. ^ Kevin Gale (June 23, 2003). "Cuba's economic breakdown". South Florida Business Journal. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  12. ^ "MIAMI SHIPPING FIRM FILES CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY". Miami Herald. November 23, 1994. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  13. ^ Steve Harrigan (August 29, 1999). "Cuban-Americans register properties seized after revolution". CNN. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  14. ^ "Senators draw up dissident aid plan: Bill sets $100 million over four years". Washington Times. May 17, 2001. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  15. ^ Jeff Sellers (July 10, 2002). "Freedom's Wedge". Christianity Today. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  16. ^ "Cubans Learning the Value of Free Market Economy". Christian Broadcasting Network. 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  17. ^ "Teo A. Babun and James F. Smith". Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  18. ^ "¿Quién es Teo Babún y qué persigue contra Cuba?". Granma. February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  19. ^ "Chi è Teo Babún cosa persegue contro Cuba?". Cuba Informazione. February 2, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  20. ^ "¿Por qué 'Granma' ataca a la asociación Alcance Humanitario Evangélico?". Diario de Cuba. February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  21. ^ Teo Babun (January 21, 2019). "Support Cubans who demand Freedom of Religion in Cuba". Miami Herald. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  22. ^ Teo Babun (January 21, 2019). "Unmasking Cuba's Religious Deception". Miami Herald. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  23. ^ Teo Babun (March 1, 2019). "Cuba's new constitution fails to guarantee fundamental freedoms. Cubans saw through the charade". Miami Herald. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  24. ^ a b José Manuel García (2006). "The Cuban Revolution: Years of Promise (review)". Arizona Journal of Hispanic Cultural Studies. 10: 297. doi:10.1353/hcs.2007.0020. S2CID 144138894. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  25. ^ "Episode Detail: Teo Babun: The Cuban Revolution: Years of Promise - History on Book TV". TV Guide. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  26. ^ "Book Discussion on The Cuban Revolution: Years of Promise". Book TV. 29 January 2006. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  27. ^ Teo A. Babun Jr. (2004). Dealing with Your Personal Crisis. Babun Publishing Group. ISBN 9789588201337. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  28. ^ Teo A. Babun Jr. (2022). Practicing His Presence: 8 Minutes of Daily Intimacy with God. BG Universal Press. ISBN 978-0976501633. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  29. ^ Teo A. Babun Jr. (2021). Buenos Dias Abba: Sabiduria y Reflexion Para Todos Los Dias. BG Universal Press. ISBN 978-0976501633. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  30. ^ Teo A. Babun Jr. (August 9, 1993). "Legalized Dollar May Not Be Saviour Of Cuban Economy". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  31. ^ Teo Babun (March 26, 2012). "How Pope Benedict could shape religious freedom in Cuba". Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  32. ^ Teo Babun (January 22, 2020). "Cuba stepped up its persecution of people of faith. Will it get worse in 2020?". Miami Herald. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  33. ^ Teo Babun (May 27, 2020). "Cuba uses the coronavirus crisis to continue to harass, imprison religious leaders". Miami Herald. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  34. ^ Teo Babun (May 26, 2021). "Catholic leaders in Cuba speak out against repression. They need our support". Miami Herald. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  35. ^ Teo Babun (October 5, 2021). "On Oct. 10, say a prayer for Cuba and the destiny of its people". Miami Herald. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  36. ^ Teo Babun (December 8, 2022). "Cuba and Nicaragua on US list of worst violators of religious freedom. They deserve it". Miami Herald. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  37. ^ Teo Babun (March 2, 2023). "Nicaraguan bishop stayed behind, a symbol of brave defiance to the Ortega dictatorship". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  38. ^ Teo Babun (May 4, 2023). "Here's the most important thing Catholic bishops in Cuba should not concede to the regime". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  39. ^ Teo Babun (July 5, 2023). "Religious Freedom Week helped highlight: Cubans Pay dearly for living their faith". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  40. ^ Teo Babun (December 23, 2023). "As 2023 draws to a close, let's not forget the plight of the Cuban people". Miami Herald. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  41. ^ Teo Babun (April 16, 2024). "I believe Cuba is at the tipping point: Are we in the U.S. ready to respond?". Miami Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  42. ^ Teo Babun (September 24, 2024). "Nicaragua's cruel dictatorship tightens grip; targets the poor and needy". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  43. ^ Teo Babun (November 14, 2019). "Cuba viola el derecho a la libertad de religión y circulación". El Nuevo Herald. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  44. ^ Teo Babun (December 27, 2023). "Ahora que 2023 se acerca a su fin, no olvidemos la difícil situación del pueblo cubano". El Nuevo Herald. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  45. ^ Teo Babun (January 20, 2024). "Llamamiento urgente: No más persecución religiosa en Nicaragua". El Nuevo Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  46. ^ Teo Babun (November 5, 2020). "On religious freedom, Cuba should follow Uzbekistan's example". The Washington Examiner. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  47. ^ Teo Babun (March 29, 2022). "With all eyes on Ukraine, Latin American dictators attack religious freedom". The Washington Examiner. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  48. ^ Teo Babun (September 1, 2022). "Does Pope Francis care about Nicaraguan Catholics?". The Washington Examiner. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  49. ^ Teo Babun (July 27, 2021). "Cuban religious leaders have been preparing for this moment". The Sun Sentinel. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  50. ^ Teo Babun (September 27, 2023). "Cuba, Nicaragua can no longer whitewash their religious freedom violations". The Hill. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  51. ^ Teo Babun (June 19, 2024). "Ortega Shifts His Anti-Religious Attacks to Nicaragua's Protestant Churches". The Washinton Stand. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
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