Cuba, The Embargo and Free Elections

Photo by jcob nasyr on Unsplash

Cuba has been in the news lately, with the US blockading the inflow of oil to the island and the resulting shortages leading to severe hardships for the people. I read that the island produces less than half their energy needs and is dependent on imports.

So why not squeeze them to produce regime change?

We are told that Cuba is a security threat to the US — since Russia and China have listening stations there to snoop on us. But we’ve known that for a long time.

What seems more of a determinant to pressure the island’s regime, is the upcoming November election and Trump’s declining popularity. Add to it, that the war in Iran has been a mess and maybe Cuba would give Trump a quick win.

But the administration should be careful. Cuba is not far away but right next to us, and a lot of Latino voters are watching. Any killing of Cuban citizens by American forces will leave a lasting mark.

The expectation that Cubans, under our pressure, will quickly get rid of their rulers, is sheer nonsense. They’ve been living under that oppressive regime since 1959 and are closely watched.

There are no quick solutions to the island’s problems.

We have stubbornly adhered to the notion that the economic embargo on the island should not be lifted. It’s been in place over 64 years and counting. It was bad policy then and remains bad policy today.

Lifting the embargo, coupled with additional pressure could make a difference.

So suppose we said to Cuban rulers, ‘you need to agree to hold free elections, supervised by observers from other nations, and we will lift the embargo now. Not after you hold elections but now.’

The recent events in Venezuela serve as a guide.

Despite a multitude of obstacles and with enormous courage, Venezuelans challenged the regime at the polls and won, only to have the results invalidated by Maduro, their then president. But the people had spoken. We could have given Venezuela a hand and put pressure on their leaders to accept the results but we chose not to. What we did there, instead, was make a deal that benefits us by having access to their oil. The corrupt regime remains in power.

So why not learn from it and tell Cuba — we will lift the embargo now and you must hold free elections in one year.

Why not?

Imagine the joy that will come to Cubans feeling they could soon spread their wings. Imagine the creativity that could be unleashed by the prospect of freedom?

A cautionary note.

Beware remaining in the cycle of hostility.

Before Castro’s ascent, Batista had committed lots of crimes. Then came the revolution and more crimes were committed, to avenge their losses. The Cuban regime has been guilty of acts of terrorism against us as they continue to repress their people. But we have a choice, to remain stuck in that cycle or pull ourselves out of it.

In that spirit, let us remember Nelson Mandela, the far sighted leader of South Africa’s revolution, who dared put healing above revenge, when he established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to guide their nation during the difficult transition to democracy from Apartheid.

What Mandela was clear about, is that unchecked revenge harms us all, strangling the creativity that every nation has. At some point, someone has to say, ‘Stop! In the name of humanity, Stop!’.

As we attempt to help bring freedom to Cubans today, or Venezuelans tomorrow, let us not forget the priceless benefits of forgiving. And starting again.

From New York, city of immigrants and flower of American culture.

And where Jose Marti, the Apostle of Cuba’s independence, lived 15 years of his short life.

Blog sent to the President and to Marco Rubio.