CASA’s Center in Havana is located in the historic Galería Haydee Santamaría, a spacious art gallery in the Vedado district of Havana. Built in the early 20th century in the Spanish colonial style, and restored in 2015 for use by CASA, the Galería provides classroom space, two interior patios and administrative office space for the program. It is outfitted with limited Wi-Fi access for CASA students, faculty and staff.
The gallery is open for student use from Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM, and on weekends from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Casa de las Américas
Galería Haydee Santamaría
Avenida de los Presidentes (G) esq. 5
El Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
Tel. (+53) 7 835-1569
CASA-Cuba Staff
Center Director
A historian by training, Rainer has been the Center’s director since the program’s founding in 2015. He earned his Ph.D. in Latin American history from Harvard University, where he also managed the Cuban Studies Program for several years. Originally from Germany, he spent half of his life in Cuba and the United States. Passionate about international education, diversity and inclusion, he was an exchange student at the University of Havana himself. Rainer’s academic expertise is Cuba’s 20th century with a focus on education, history of socialisms and critical theory. He has researched, lectured and taught on Cuba for the past 15 years in Europe, Cuba and the United States. His publications on Cuba cover a variety of themes, such as Cuba’s early educational revolution, land reform and food sovereignty, or more recently Cuba during the pandemic. Rainer is currently finishing a book manuscript provisionally entitled: Revolution in the Classroom. Cuba’s Education Reforms during the Cold War. When he is not at CASA, Rainer enjoys riding by bike in Havana, walking his dog, and dipping into Cuba’s rich cultural life.
Tel. + 53-7-835-1569 / rainer@lahabana.casa.education
Assistant Director
Emily joined CASA-Cuba as assistant director in 2025. She earned her PhD in history from Yale University in 2021 and subsequently worked as a Mellon postdoctoral researcher in American History at the University of Cambridge. Her research focuses on the interconnected histories and peoples of Cuba, the United States and Central America. Emily is currently finishing a book on Caribbean internationalisms during the Cold War. She has published on the gender dimensions of Cuban internationalism and on the revolutionary collaborations between Cuba and Nicaragua during the 1980s, among other topics. She loves running along the Malecón and going out to listen to the incredible musicians of Havana.
E-mail: emily@lahabana.casa.education
Academic Coordinator of Casa de las Américas.
Ana Niria Albo Díaz (Havana, 1987), Graduate and Master in Sociology from the University of Havana, has been a researcher in the Latino Studies Program at the Casa de las Américas since its foundation. She is the co-author with Antonio Aja of the monographs In the Otherness of the American Mainstream: Study of Latinos in the United States (2011) and Latinidad en encuentro: migratory experiences in the United States (2014). She is also the co-author with Jaime Gómez Triana of We must defend Life (2022). In addition, she has published articles published in journals including Casa de las Américas, Conjunto, La Jiribilla, Novedades en Población and Palara.
She has been a professor in the Department of Sociology of the University of Havana since 2017, at the Higher Institute of Art in its Faculty of Audiovisual Media (2016-2019) and is currently an Assistant Professor at the Center for Demographic Studies (Cedem). She is a member of the Association of Latin American Studies (LASA) and is currently finishing her doctoral degree in Sociology at the University of Havana.
Academic Assistant
Surama is a Specialist in International Relations at Casa de las Américas and has been the Academic Assistant to CASA - Cuba since 2017. She graduated as a Technician in Computer Science and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociocultural Studies from the University of Havana. She has 15 years of experience in international relations work.
Tel. + 53-7-835-1569 / suramazayasarioza@gmail.com
Computing
Lucila is the Computer Science Specialist at Casa de las Américas and has been the CASA - Cuba IT specialist since January 2025. She holds a degree in Education with a specialty in Mathematics and Computer Science. She has 30 years of experience in the field. She is passionate about the Seventh Art.
"Computer science isn't magic, but it can do things close to magic."
E-mail: muradasgarcial@gmail.com
Receptionist
She holds a degree in Electrical Maintenance Technician and has also worked nursing assistant, daycare teacher, and teaching secretary.
"The reception is not just an entrance, it is the beginning of an experience."
She enjoys spending time with her family.
Receptionist
High School Graduate. She has worked for more than 15 years at Casa de las Américas and is a founder of the Consocio.
"Being a receptionist is being the friendly face that transforms a place into a home."
She is passionate about reading, listening, music and animals.
Auxiliar General
She has worked for more than 15 years at Casa de las Américas.
"You are the silent cog that keeps everything moving. Thank you for your dedication!"
Lover of children, music and good cooking.
