Will Ties Between the U.S. and Cuba Improve?

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Will Ties Between the U.S. and Cuba Improve?
Fecha de publicación: 
21 April 2021
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Although a policy change towards Cuba continues to be excluded from the priorities of the Administration of the President of the United States, Joe Biden, various sectors recognize and promote the benefits of a possible improvement in relations between the two countries.

As long as they are based on respect, sovereignty, and non-interference in domestic affairs, Cuban authorities will welcome dialogue and understanding with their northern neighbor, whose governments have been determined to destroy the Revolution for over more than 60 years.

Last March, the White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, referred to the aforementioned current position towards the Caribbean island, after previous affirmations that the president ordered a review of the policies of his predecessor in office, the Republican Donald Trump (2017-2020).

Before the spokeswoman's latest statements, 80 Democratic congressmen sent a letter to Biden requesting a change in the cruel strategies and restrictions imposed by the United States on Cuba under the previous Administration.

The legislators ask to renew the productive dialogue with the Cuban Government, in order to "help families in difficulties and promote a more constructive approach by quickly returning to the policy of commitment and normalization of relations."

At the discretion of the signatories of the letter, promoted by representatives Bobby Rush, Gwen Moore, and Barbara Lee, the executive orders implemented by the Republican Administration tightened the sanctions to levels not seen in decades.

Through the text, the congressmen urged the Executive to restart diplomatic responsibility to get involved in areas of mutual interest such as health and security, and to reverse the decision taken in the final days of Trump's presidency, to add Cuba again to the unilateral list of State sponsors of terrorism.

During his election campaign, Biden said that he would lift some of the restrictions on trade and travel between the two countries, but different analysts point out that keeping those promises will mean facing various obstacles.

At the same time, Washington maintains the economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba, which had an unusual upsurge during the Republican term. More than 240 new measures were imposed with the aim of harming Cuba, subverting its domestic order, creating a situation of ungovernability and overthrowing the Revolution that triumphed on January 1st, 1959.

The drastic reduction in travel and allowances, multiple obstacles to access fuel, and considerable fines to foreign banks that do business with Cuba were among the damaging operations.

Also, the U.S. State Department withdrew a large part of the embassy staff in Havana, after health incidents reported by its diplomats, and stopped issuing visas.

Another step was the activation of Title III of the controversial Helms-Burton Act, which allows to sue those who invest in nationalized properties in the country.

Imposed since February 3rd, 1962 by an executive order of the then president, John F. Kennedy, the aforementioned siege constitutes the main obstacle for the island's development, and no citizen or economic and social sector escapes its negative consequences.

According to the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the accumulated damages up to March 2020 due to the application of this strategy amount to 144,413.4 million dollars, at current prices.

Considering the depreciation of U.S. currency against the value of gold in the international market, the blockade has caused measureable damages that exceed one trillion 98 thousand eight million dollars.

As various voices denounce, this policy, widely rejected worldwide, means a lack of food, medicine, health supplies, and school supplies, among other necessary resources for people's lives.

However, beyond the hostility, Cuba has the solidarity support of public personalities, organizations, movements, and social activists from countries all over the world including the United States, they all are opposed to Washington's aggressiveness.

Taken from Correo de Cuba
Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff

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