CUBA-End The Bockade

Republicans are hyperventilating over Pres. Obama’s move to normalize relations with Cuba – along with a dwindling generation of Cuban exiles and counter-revolutionaries in Florida.  Opinions may differ on the nature of the Cuban political and economic system, but concern for “democracy” had nothing to do with US hostility. Our government had cordial relations with the pre-Castro Batista/Mafia dictatorship; it continued to remain supportive of anti-democratic regimes throughout Latin America – in Haiti, Nicaragua, Brazil, Chile and Argentina -- while it pursued its war against Cuba.  And if it is commonly noted how “impoverished” Cuba remains, the question may well be asked, “in comparison with what?” Cuban life expectancy and literacy levels put it on par with the world’s most developed nations and far above nearly all of Latin America, including much “richer” countries.  The Cuban infant mortality rate is equal to that of Canada, and lower than the US.

 

US Was at Odds With World Over Cuba Policy

President Barack Obama's decision to pursue new relations with Cuba was driven in part by a stinging realization: Longstanding U.S. policies aimed at isolating Cuba had instead put Washington at odds with the rest of the world. The American economic embargo on Cuba drove a wedge between the U.S. and Latin American nations. In an annual diplomatic embarrassment, the United Nations General Assembly votes overwhelmingly to condemn the U.S. policy. And while the U.S. was clinging to its economic restrictions against the small communist nation just 90 miles off its shores, leaders of China, Russia and Brazil flocked to Havana, promising millions in investment… The latest vote on Oct. 29 was 188-2, with only the U.S. and Israel voting "no." General Assembly resolutions are nonbinding and unenforceable but they do reflect world opinion, and the vote has given Cuba an annual stage to demonstrate the isolation of the U.S. on the embargo. The number of Americans who see Cuba as a serious threat has declined. A 1983 CNN/Time poll found 29 percent considered Cuba a very serious threat. That dipped to 13 percent in 1994 and 12 percent in 1997.  More

 

US-Cuba relations: Global praise for normalisation of ties

World leaders have welcomed a historic move by the US to end more than 50 years of hostility towards Cuba and restore diplomatic relations.  Pope Francis joined leaders from Latin America and Europe in praising the "historic" deal which saw the release of prisoners from both countries… The announcement followed more than a year of secret talks in Canada and at the Vatican, directly involving the pontiff.  The European Union, which is in the process of normalising ties with Cuba, described the move as a "historical turning point", while leaders meeting at a Latin America summit in Argentina broke into applause at the news.  More