Eduardo Alvarez/ Asst. Opinion Director
For U.S.-Cuba relations, any normality would be revolutionary and both peoples would benefit from it.
The two countries have always had an abnormal relationship. From the Southern slave states’ interest in annexing the island in the 19th century to expand slavery to the two U.S. military occupations, to today’s apparently endless “cold skirmish” 90 miles away from Florida.
The U.S. embargo on Cuba is older than most of our parents. The idea was to punish the Castro regime for nationalizing American properties and at the same time suffocate the nascent dictatorship. But the regime used the embargo as an excuse for all economic hardships; from every fruitless harvest to every giant pothole in the middle of Havana.
And politically speaking, a hostile U.S. justified intolerance and oppression by the Castro regime through the resourceful “besieged citadel” argument.
In other words, in the face of foreign attacks, the remedy was national unity, which for the Cuban people meant a repugnant denial of civil liberties.
In case anyone still buys the government’s narrative, just take a look at how high-ranking party members and military cronies live when compared to everyday Cubans.
One would think the ideology they follow is less that of Karl Marx and more so a sort of Ayn Rand on steroids.
In light of all of this, the best thing the U.S. can do is the only thing that hasn’t been tried: stay out.
Sure, the Obama-Castro “thaw” re-opened embassies and loosened some aspects of the embargo, but the bulk of U.S. sanctions are fixed as a congressional prerogative in something called “The Helms-Burton act.”
Trying to remove this law is a tricky business for any politician – especially a presidential candidate – since Miami’s Cuban-American community often marks the difference between a red or blue Florida every election.
Yet a normal relationship between Cuba and the United States would not only be economically beneficial for both parties involved but would also empower the non-governmental sectors of Cuban society; from artists to entrepreneurs, to political activists.
An American wishing to buy a vintage car can do so; the Cuban selling it can use the money to a buy a modern one.
By the same token, any dissident who seeks to reach out to more of their neighbors and organize them can more readily do so if they can access newer telecommunications equipment.
The mock political succession that took place in Cuba earlier this year is an indication that the
Castro government will never change.
Therefore, if the U.S. really wants to help Cuba move closer to democracy, its policies shouldn’t be based on how the regime acts and reacts.
Only the Cuban people can and should reclaim their Republic.
By taking on a radically passive role, the U.S. would be placing the responsibility of change back in the hands of Cubans; and I’m certain we’d know how to do our duty.
DISCLAIMER:
The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.
Photo by Augustin de Montesquiou on Unsplash.
About Post Author
