United States, Between Much-Touted Aid and Moral Suspense

The United States government faces another exceptional opportunity to correct its hostile policy towards Cuba: the ideal scenario would be the definitive lifting of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade. However, in these complex times, it would suffice for it to issue executive permits to facilitate access to resources.

The most just course of action would require legislative approval, since the blockade constitutes a (il)legal framework that exceeds the powers of the White House. Nevertheless, from the Oval Office, special licenses could be adopted to favor the commercial and financial management of the Island, if there were a will to help.

Instead of dedicating itself to questioning the destination of resources donated from abroad for the victims, the current U.S. Administration could join those around the world who are gathering and sending supplies to alleviate the tensions generated in the eastern part of the country by Hurricane Melissa.

After much media fanfare, Washington announced the offer of three million dollars through the Catholic Church. This amount is appreciated, although it is incomparably smaller than that invested in attempting to subvert Cuba's constitutional order.

Nor does that sum compensate for the barriers that the blockade imposes on tens of thousands of Cubans residing in the northern country who would like to have expedient channels to send aid to their compatriots affected by Melissa.

Possessor of powerful air and maritime fleets, Washington is in the best possible position to promote a campaign for the collection and transport of resources for the victims of the cyclone.

It would be a humanitarian and humanist action, if the sole aim were to help the victims, by providing them with necessary supplies, many of which are denied to the Cuban people by the very economic, commercial, and financial siege.

There are many solidarity movements with Cuba intensifying campaigns to mobilize clothes, shoes, medicines, non-perishable food, cleaning and hygiene products, money, and construction materials, among other items, who would also appreciate the availability of free access to place them as soon as possible in the hands of those in need.

The Unyielding Reality

Even with the pincers of the blockade on its neck, savagely tightened by the Trump-Rubio tandem, Cuba has demonstrated during these harsh days a greatness larger than the piece of geography nature assigned to it.

Washington knows, even if its imperial pride makes it swallow it, that sooner or later Cuba will recover from the damages caused by this phenomenon with the strength of a monster and a woman's name.

The blockade will delay the recovery. It is a truth that no one denies, neither them nor us, but likewise, on both ends of the Florida Strait, there is awareness that Cuba is indomitable and faithful to its course, no matter how many walls they try to use to bend it.

A Lesson Still Unlearned

The United States should have learned that lesson several decades ago and continues to fail it. It has the same test before it again, with the same question. Or is it that Cuba's capacity for resilience to save itself without asking for anything more than respect for its people has left the empire knocked out, incapable of admitting the existence of peoples who do not abdicate before its designs?

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff