WE CONDEMN; The US sponsored demonstrations in Cuba of July 2021 is simply a continuation of many years of the economic, financial, commercial, political, diplomatic and cultural warfare waged against the Caribbean island by 12 consecutive US Administrations. This last attempt to meddle in Cuba’s internal affairs via a subversive campaign is being financed by the Florida State Government and their Republican donors. This campaign like the others is largely based on misinformation widely propagated by mass and underground media geared to undermine the Cuban government.
The objective is the condemnable acts of economic sabotage, genocide and a massive violation of the human rights of the Cuban people and finally the fall of the Cuban revolutionary experiment. Despite an economic blockade which commenced in 1962 Cuba survives and has had to withstand many threats including:
•The political isolation of Cuba based on the decision taken and executed by the OAS in Punta del Este Uruguay, in 1962.
•The imposition of a Trade Embargo codified by an Act of Congress in 1996 (Helms Burton Act). This legislation not only prohibits US companies from trading with Cuba, it also penalises countries and their citizens from doing the same. While the latter is difficult to enforce it clearly has had the effect of discouraging many states from trading or investing in Cuba.
•Cuba has not been allowed to join the multilateral financial institutions making the financing of development projects very difficult.
•The active destabilization of Cuba is a stated objective of the Helms Burton Act. This is manifested through the broadcast of US propaganda and the sponsoring of anti-Cuban forces both inside and outside Cuba.
The recent events being sponsored by the Florida State Government and GOP donors. These activities propagate misinformation via various media including:
1.The Right-wing Media
2.Twitter
3.Other social media
4.Using false computer-generated social media accounts
5.Using locations, videos, pictures and protests in other countries unrelated to Cuba as proof of unrest in Cuba.
6.False statements from officials about human rights violations, disappearances and police brutality attributed to the Cuban government. All these allegations have been debunked by experts but are still being use by mainstream media.
7.The establishment of private entities to misinform the world to justify the maintenance of sanctions. These organizations funded from both State and private coffers have in effect privatized the US propaganda efforts against Cuba.
These policies have had very grave consequences for the Cuban people. The economy has lost $250B US during the course of the embargo. The economic attack has denied the Cubans access to medical equipment and medicine as well as hampering Cuba’s industrial complex from acquiring necessary machinery, spares and raw materials.
Despite these challenges Cuba has survived and prospered particularly in the areas of education, medicine, science, tourism and agriculture.
The global crisis that has been created by the COVID 19 pandemic has been particularly onerous to Cuba. The collapse of international tourism has denied the Caribbean island hard currency, a problem that is not unique to Cuba, but in this case the hardship has been compounded by the hash persecution of US economic sanctions. Any financial transaction related to Cuba is a potential target for Helms Burton. Banks that dare to establish financial relations with the Island are in danger of facing US sanctions. Tourism is a major source of hard currency and with the collapse of global tourism due to the pandemic, the resulting shortage of forex has denied the government the ability to more effectively deal with the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic. Cuba, however, finds itself experiencing two critical challenges at once far worse than other developing states face. Despite all these difficulties Cuba has created its own vaccines (with world class efficacy) a feat which has eluded most of the so called “developed” world!
Unfortunately, instead of treating the situation as an emergency requiring a humanitarian approach, the US and Florida Governments have determined that they should take advantage of the situation to further push for their imperial interests and in the case of the latter shortsighted marrow political interests. They ignore the overwhelming support that US’s southern neighbour has garnered in the World. The General Assembly of the United Nations over many years has overwhelmingly condemned the blockade. This year (2021) 184 countries supported an end to the blockade. The US has been completely isolated in the face of the overwhelming world opinion on this issue.
Despite the nearly six decades of economic sabotage the US Administration still shamelessly blames the Cuban Government for the economic crisis which has been facilitated by their own subversive actions towards Cuba, a classic case of blaming the victim.
In this regard the TTFC calls On PresidentJoe Biden Administration to stop the persecution of Cuba by:
A. Reversing the draconian measures adopted by former President Donald Trump,
B. Continue the normalization of relations started by President Obama
C. End the embargo and other forms of aggression against the Caribbean island.
D. Reopening consular services in Havana and Washington DC.
E. Normalization of travel between the two countries
This asymmetrical war against Cuba must stop. TTFC and Humanity expects no less.
The struggle continues. Aluta Contunia……….
Clyde Callander.
President
For and on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Friends of Cuba.