US blockade of Cuba

Dear friends and supporters of RATB,

In late September 2016, US President Obama extended the Trading With the Enemy Act, the principal law that the United States unilateral blockade against Cuba. Almost two years since announcing the intention to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba and ‘normalise’ relations, his fine words about ending an ‘updated and failed policy’ ring hollow. The Obama administration has taken only small, strategic steps to dismantling the apparatus of hostility built up by US imperialism against revolutionary Cuba. The objective of US policy remains regime change in Cuba. Formally, a vote in the US Congress is necessary to lift the blockade, but Obama could use his Presidential prerogatives to remove many more elements of the blockade than he has done. Using his executive powers decisively would enable him to virtually dismantle the blockade.

Meanwhile the US blockade continues to have a severe detrimental impact on every aspect of life in Cuba, some of which are summarized in Cuba’s 2016 report to the United Nations General Assembly. On 26 October, for the 25th consecutive year, the General Assembly will vote on Cuba’s motion to condemn the US blockade. Last year, the US voted against the motion, backed by its reliable ally, Israel, and opposed by 191 countries.

The international solidarity movement must now step up its demand for the end to the blockade. You can vote against it on this website: http://www.cubavsbloqueo.cu/en.

On Friday 30September at 9pm UK time (4pm in Havana) there will be a Q&A about the Blockade and Cuba/US relations with Josefina Vidal, head of Cuba-US relations in the Cuban Foreign Ministry. You can contact Josefina via @JosefinaVidalF. This coincides with the 4th Bilateral Commission meeting between the US and Cuba.

Cuban youth have launched a twitter campaign for 17 October using the hashtags #Cuba #CubavsBloqueo #YoVotoVsBloqueo (I vote against the Blockade). All RATB supporters are urged to join in, highlighting both the human rights impact of the blockade: both in imposing suffering on the Cuban people and impacting on the rest of the world through its extraterritorial nature. Some of the enduring impacts of the blockade are summarized below – taken from a Cuban document:

 -      Despite the restoring of Cuban-US diplomatic relations, the reopening of embassies over a year ago, and President Barack Obama's visit to Cuba in March 2016, the US economic, commercial and financial sanctions against Cuba remain in place, as do the laws which support them, while the restrictions they generate continue to be applied. The blockade constitutes a basic obstacle to the process aimed at normalizing the relations between the two countries.

-      The amendments made in 2015 and 2016 by the US Treasury and Commerce Departments, to some of the regulations of the blockade policy in order to modify their implementation; while they constitute steps in the right direction, they are not enough.

-      The US continues to ban exports to Cuba of products and equipment important to key sectors of the economy, while the persistence of the blockade prevents Cuba from freely exporting products and services to the US; it cannot have direct banking relations with the US or, except in the case of telecommunications, receive US investment in other sectors of the economy.

-      Despite the March 2016 measure authorizing use of the US dollar in our international transactions, there are still no normal banking relations between the two countries. Cuba is banned from opening correspondent accounts in US banks and has been unable to make either deposits or payments in cash in US dollars in third countries. Among international and US banks, a climate of fear and hostility remains, as to involving themselves in legitimate operations with Cuba.

-      The deterrent and punitive elements of the blockade, and extraterritorial in scope, continue to operate to the detriment of Cuba. They are still blocking transfers of funds, still withholding payments, even in currencies other than the US dollar; they deny us services of all kinds, even where sought by our diplomatic missions and offices abroad, while foreign banks and other entities with links to Cuba continue to be fined.

-      Examples include the decision by the German Commerzbank to cease operations with Cuba following a fine of US $1,710 million imposed on it by the US in March 2015.

-      More recently (August 2016), it proved impossible to pay for Cuban medical services in Algeria, in the maternal & child and ophthalmology areas, because two correspondent banks - Commerzbank and the Belgian KBC Bank - refused to action a credit transfer of €12,527,945 ordered by the Bank of Algeria.

-      While authorization is being granted for visits by US citizens to Cuba under a general license in the 12 categories permitted by US legislation, and scheduled flights between the two countries have been restored, US citizens are still banned from vacationing freely as tourists in Cuba, under a law which can only be repealed by Congress.

-      The economic damage caused to the Cuban people, based on very conservative estimates and taking into account the depreciation of the dollar against gold in the international market, amounts to $753,688,000,000, despite the decline in the price of gold compared with 2015. At current prices, the cumulative cost of the blockade to the Cuban people totals $125,873,000,000. Between March 2015 and March 2016, the cost to Cuba of the sanctions amounted to $4,680,300,000 at current prices.

-      The president of the United States still possesses wide executive powers, which he has not used, to continue modifying the application of the blockade regulations beyond what has already been done to date. These would enable him, if used decisively, to virtually dismantle the blockade policy (although its complete elimination requires a decision by Congress).

-      The scope for significantly amending the application of the blockade by the exercise of executive powers is self-evident from the measures taken by the Treasury and Commerce Departments in 2015 and 2016, and from the removal of Cuba, in 2015, from the list of states sponsoring international terrorism, on which Cuba should never have been included.

-      For its part, the US Congress has yet to approve any of the 20 bills with bipartisan support proposing the lifting of some of the blockade sanctions, and even the lifting of the entire blockade.

-      At the same time, Congress has received some 51 anti-Cuba legislative initiatives, many designed to reinforce basic aspects of the blockade’s application, prevent the President from passing new executive measures, and blocking the implementation of those already passed.

-      The blockade against Cuba must be removed unilaterally and unconditionally. It is the most unjust, severe and prolonged system of sanctions ever imposed on any country, and remains a flagrant, massive and systematic violation of the human rights of the Cuban people.

-      The blockade constitutes the greatest obstacle to developing the full potential of the economy and wellbeing of the Cuban people, and to Cuba's economic, trade and financial relations with the US and the rest of the world.

-      Given all the above, for as long as it remains in force, Cuba will maintain its demand for an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US.

-      The draft resolution we will present reflects the current status of bilateral relations between Cuba and the US; we reiterate our appreciation of the restoration of diplomatic relations and the US President's expression of willingness to work towards the lifting of the blockade, reaffirmed during his historic visit to Cuba this year.

-      The mobilizing role of the international community as regards the removal of the sanctions against Cuba is an essential one, and is an important factor of support for President Obama and his successor, and also for those members of Congress who second the elimination of this cruel policy, in the face of their opponents and critics.

-      The international solidarity and support enjoyed by Cuba during these long, difficult years has been a key factor in the in the change in the US policy towards Cuba.

-      Cuba reiterates its gratitude for the permanent support of your country to the demand by the Cuban people for an end to this illegal, genocidal and extraterritorial policy, which will never prevent the Cuban people from defending its sovereignty and its unfettered right to choose its own future.

-      We hope to enjoy again your country's support in the forums at which this issue is raised, especially at the UN General Assembly during the general debate, and your country's vote in support of the resolution against the blockade, on which action will be taken on October 26th, 2016.

Published on 13 August 2016 by teleSUR.

fidel and maduro

On the occasion of his birthday, Fidel Castro penned a brief article recalling some of his earliest memories, while also calling for peace.

Every corner of Cuba is celebrating celebrate the 90th birthday of the country's most famous man: Fidel Castro.

The Karl Marx Theater in Havana hosted a special gala on Saturday night, where some of Fidel's oldest comrades, including some of those who accompanied him in the attack on the Moncada barracks, are expected to join.

Foreign dignitaries and heads of state have also travelled to Cuba to participate in the events commemorating the 90th birthday of the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro.

Published on 4 August 2016 by teleSUR.

castromandela.jpg 1858985330

Defence of the Spanish Republic during Spain’s civil war is probably the most well-known modern European example of a highly organized and committed progressive solidarity movement. Currently, international solidarity activity in the Americas and in Europe remains closely associated with progressive political movements and governments working to defend their peoples against NATO country aggression of one kind or another. They do so despite determined efforts at co-option by Western governments and corporations along with their media and NGOs.

Selfless people in solidarity with grassroots resistance from Palestine to Mexico have made huge sacrifices trying to defend vulnerable communities from aggression and abuse. In Palestine, Rachel Corrie’s supreme valour put the US government and its NATO country allies to shame for their abject collusion in Israel’s destruction of the Palestinian people. In Oaxaca, activist reporter Brad Will was murdered covering yet more repression by systemically corrupt, violence-addicted authorities in Mexico. Recently in Honduras, international solidarity activists bravely confronted the notoriously violent Honduran security forces in order to commemorate Berta Caceres and defend her legacy of resistance.

Published on 24 July 2016 by teleSUR.

21143450766 3d661e909a c.jpg 1718483346

Today, progressives throughout the world could learn many lessons from the July 26 1953, Moncada attack led by Fidel Castro, writes Arnold August.

In 1953, when virtually all the progressive and revolutionary forces in Cuba offered no viable solution to oppose the U.S.-backed Batista dictatorship, Fidel Castro and his comrades did indeed work out a path. It was a route characterized by game-changing statements inexorably coupled with exceptionally courageous deeds, out of which emerged the July 26 Movement.

This movement, supported by allies who later rallied to the cause, led to the January 1 1959 triumph of the revolution. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. However, history is still being made today as Cuba endures major challenges.

Published on 13 July 2016 by teleSUR.

cuba and us flags

Legislation passed this week aims to reverse President Obama's policy of normalizing relations with the blockaded island nation.

The United States House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a number of clauses that seek to toughen U.S. sanctions on Cuba in the budget bill for 2017 financial services and general government services.

The new measures are at odds with U.S. President Barack Obama's policy of thawing relations with Cuba, which has been under a U.S. blockade for more than 50 years. To become law, the measures still need to pass the U.S. Senate and receive President Obama's signature, neither of which is guaranteed.

Published on 13 July 2016 by Granma.

raul poidum

Full text of speech by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of the Councils of State and Ministers, during the National Assembly of People's Power 8th Legislature's 7th Period of Ordinary Sessions, in the Havana Convention Center, July 8, 2016, Year 58 of the Revolution.

"Compañeras and compañeros:

This year, we have had an intense first six months, with the holding of important national and international events, in the first place, the 7th Congress of our Party, where a group of transcendental agreements were reached, in the interest of updating the Cuban economic and social model.

Since this past Monday, the National Assembly's 10 permanent commissions have met, a framework within which deputies have analysed the questions most relevant to the life of the nation.

Published on 27 June 2016 by Granma.

Edwin Gonzalez Vasquez

The Puerto Rican Mission in Cuba was founded March 8, 1966 with the aim of supporting the country’s pro-independence efforts and calling for the release of political prisoners, including Oscar López Rivera, incarcerated for over 35 years.

During a UN Special Committee on Decolonization session Cuba once again demanded independence for the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico, subjected to 118 years of neo-colonial domination by the United States, a status which prevents it from adopting measures to resolve its difficult economic situation.

Poverty, unemployment, and the local government’s inability to pay off a debt in excess of 7.2 million dollars, are putting strain on the Caribbean island, which decades ago was intended to become the great showcase of the Caribbean, with monopolies based there exploiting the island’s natural resources and importing all the country’s consumer goods.

Published on 23 June 2016 by Granma.

flag

Remarks by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, President of Cuba's Councils of State and Ministers, after the signing of agreements on a bilateral, final ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, the laying down of arms, and guarantees of security in Colombia.

There is no going back in this peace process, said Cuban President Raúl Castro Ruz referring to the peace talks underway in Havana to end the armed conflict in Colombia, the continent's longest. He spoke during the signing ceremony (June 23) for the recent agreements reached by the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP).

After greeting the many heads of state and other dignitaries in attendance, he stated:

"On November 19, 2012, the Table Talks between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army started to work in Havana.

Published on 10 June 2016 by Granma.

Alba council

Caracas, 8 June — Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla called on the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (Alba-TCP) to strengthen strategies to confront imperialist intervention and coup plots on the continent, according to AVN.

In his comments, during the Alba-TCP Political Council meeting to discuss common strategies to defend the region, PL reported, Rodríguez likewise called on social movements to defend progressive governments facing attacks orchestrated by foreign powers, as is the case in Venezuela, which was subjected to an attempt by the Organization of American States (OAS) to justify intervention via the application of the bloc's Inter-American Charter, as well as Brazil, where a parliamentary coup and media campaign are currently underway against the country's legitimate President, Dilma Rousseff.